Pat Spencer was long overdue for a standard contract as the two-way guard continues his heroics throughout the season. He eventually signed a standard contract on Saturday, a day after he dropped a 20-point performance for the Golden State Warriors, guiding them past the Phoenix Suns.

The Warriors converted his two-way deal into a standard contract, which now allows him to play for them for the remainder of the season amid injuries to Stephen Curry and newly traded star Kristaps Porzingis. Spencer is surely a welcome addition to the team as he has proven time and again by delivering some clutch performances for the Dubs.

According to the NBA’s Salary Cap expert, Yossi Gozlan, Spencer will receive the prorated minimum salary currently worth $857,804 for this season on his standard contract with the Warriors. This is reportedly the most the Warriors can offer him to have him available for the remaining regular season games and also for the playoffs. Spencer is now on track to become a restricted free agent in the summer, as per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

The Warriors had two spots open after Thursday’s trade deadline, and they have now given one to Spencer. They could add another player to their roster, given the situation with injuries.

Spencer, who played lacrosse for Loyola Maryland, didn’t turn to college basketball until he was 23 years old. He eventually chose basketball as his calling, and he is now enjoying a career year in his third season at the Bay Arena. He is averaging 5.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 42.3% from the field and 43.1% from beyond the three-point arc.

He has played modest minutes when Curry has been healthy, but whenever the veteran star has missed games, Spencer has stepped in and delivered some splendid performances. He is averaging 11.0 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.9 RPG, and 1.0 SPG from the 13 games that he has started for the Dubs.

While Spencer is filling up one of the two remaining spots in the roster, it will be interesting to see who secures the next spot as the Warriors need all hands on deck with the injuries that they are suffering this season.

Warriors reportedly looking to add Lonzo Ball to their roster

Lonzo Ball is one of the favorites to take up the final roster spot for the Golden State Warriors, as per reports via NBA Insider Jake L Fischer. This comes after Chris Haynes suggested that multiple teams have asked to review Ball’s medical records after expressing interest in adding him to the roster.

If the move to Bay Arena finalizes, then it will be the third team for Ball within a year, as he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers during the offseason from the Chicago Bulls. He featured in 35 games for the Cavs, averaging 4.6 points per contest while shooting 30% from the field and 27% from the three-point line. He was involved in the three-team trade that sent him to the Utah Jazz, clearly as a salary dump. However, Ball was not in Jazz’s plans, and therefore, he was waived by them, leaving him in this situation.

His addition could give the Warriors some scoring and ball-handling impetus from the bench. It is a low risk high reward deal for the Dubs. The Warriors are eighth in the Western Conference with a record of 28-24. They have already lost Jimmy Butler for the season due to a torn ACL, and with the recent injury to Stephen Curry, they need players who could help the team in their absence. Even their newly traded star, Kristaps Porzingis, has been out for several games due to Achilles tendinitis. Ball, with his experience, scoring, and ball-handling abilities, could be a good value addition off the bench for the Dubs.

If the Warriors eventually go for Ball, it will be interesting to see how the veteran guard performs off the bench. There’s a possibility of him finding his feet in Golden State, as he will play alongside some exceptional shooters. Sometimes these things rub off on each other, helping others raise their game.