After months of dragging and sitting idle over the Jonathan Kuminga issue, the Golden State Warriors have finally managed to hit the headlines for the right reasons. With Al Horford, Gary Payton II, and De’Anthony Melton committing to join the Warriors roster (though contracts still await the Kuminga decision), the team has made another move, this time placing its bets on the rookies rather than the veterans.
Shams Charania reported on X, “Another deal done Sunday for Golden State: The Warriors are signing No. 52 pick Alex Toohey to a two-way NBA contract, sources tell ESPN. Both rookies, Toohey and Richard, will sign deals for the active roster, along with Horford, Payton and Melton.” Now, Toohey will be alternating between Golden State and its G-affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors.
The Warriors drafted 21-year-old Toohey, picked 52nd overall in the draft from the Phoenix Suns. Toohey made a name for himself last season, playing 30 games in the NBL. Playing for Australia’s Sydney Kings, he averaged 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, earning the 2024–25 NBL Next Generation Award.
On top of that, in Jonathan Wasserman’s Top 75 Prospect Big Board, the young star was ranked No. 37! When Toohey was drafted, Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy spoke about his potential, saying, “Within our system, he [Toohey] has the versatility to play multiple positions. Especially on the defensive end, he creates a lot of plays. With Draymond [Green], Jimmy [Butler III], Brandin [Podziemski], guys that can disrupt, this guy fits in that mold.”
Another deal done Sunday for Golden State: The Warriors are signing No. 52 pick Alex Toohey to a two-way NBA contract, sources tell ESPN. Both rookies, Toohey and Richard, will sign deals for the active roster, along with Horford, Payton and Melton. https://t.co/LeeSteGNmu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 29, 2025
The Warriors have also agreed to a four-year deal with their second-round pick, Will Richard. The 6-foot-4 guard was a key player for the University of Florida, starting 40 games during their 2025 national championship run. As a senior, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 steals, playing 31.6 minutes. This all-around game helped him be selected 56th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Golden State had also signed Jackson Rowe to a two-way contract and extended a qualifying offer to Taran Armstrong, steadily filling out their roster. All of this moves forward while the team remains in a standoff with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
Three confirmed commitments to complete Warriors’ core
Al Horford has “verbally committed” to the Warriors on a multi-year deal, bringing much-needed stability to Golden State’s frontcourt. He will enter his 19th NBA season after spending seven years with the Boston Celtics, where he won a title and signed a two-year, $19.5 million extension in 2022. The Warriors’ deal is expected to provide similar long-term security, though final details are still pending.
Gary Payton II will return to the team he has played 194 regular-season games for, bringing in experience and defensive versatility. Last season, he appeared in 62 games and averaged 6.5 points and 3 rebounds, playing some of the best basketball of his career in the second half, averaging 9.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and shot an efficient 68.8 TS%. Having played an essential role in helping the team during their 2022 title run, he is expected to bring the same consistency this season as well.
De’Anthony Melton has also committed to Golden State after rehabbing from an ACL injury that limited him to just six games last season. At 27, Melton can defend, shoot, and create plays, making him a valuable part of the team alongside Curry, Podziemski, Hield, Moody, and rookie Will Richard, even though injuries have slowed him in recent years.