Warriors Make Bold Roster Move During All-Star Break

Golden State Warriors guard Lester Quinones has earned a permanent spot on the roster for the 2023-24 NBA season after impressing in his recent play.

Having played in 19 games this season, the Warriors are set to upgrade the 23-year-old’s two-way contract to a full NBA contract, according to his agents Mike Miller and Derek Malloy of LIFT Sports Management, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Quinones has contributed an average of 4.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists across those games, playing 12.9 minutes per game.

The move to a standard contract comes as two-way players are restricted to a maximum of 50 games, indicating the Warriors’ satisfaction with Quiñones’ performance and their desire to secure his services more permanently.

Securing Quinones fills the Warriors’ 14th guaranteed roster spot, signaling a decreased likelihood of the team exploring the buyout market further.

Although this move doesn’t eliminate the possibility of Golden State adding another player, it suggests they keep their 15th roster spot open until the regular season concludes, allowing flexibility for potential additions for the playoff push.

Quinones, who was not selected in the 2022 NBA Draft, joined the Warriors later that year. After beginning this season on a two-way contract, his transition to a standard contract underscores his value to the team as a crucial bench player under coach Steve Kerr, particularly as the postseason approaches.