Golden State Warriors Rookie Watch - Will Richard

Will Richard bring something to Golden State that the Warriors are no strangers to — a championship pedigree. While it has been a couple of seasons since the Warriors last looked like the dynasty that they were for nearly a ten-year span from 2015 to 2022, the Florida Gator might be a perfect fit for a team looking to retool. 

Averaging 13.3 points with a 48/35/84 shooting percentage split during his senior season, Richard capped off his senior year helping the Gators win their third National Championship with an 18-point performance against the Houston Cougars, which included four three-pointers. Hmm, imagine that, a three-point shooter on the Warriors, how fitting. Originally drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies, Richard was quickly traded for the last pick in the draft, the rights to a 2020 draft pick, and a 2032 second-round pick. 

Although Richard struggled to connect on many of his three-point shots during Summer League, he wasn’t exactly afraid to let it fly, putting up 22 shots from deep in four games (connecting on just four). While the shot will eventually start to fall, what makes Richard appealing to the Warriors isn’t just his sweet stroke, but his overall grit on the court, reminiscent of Gary Payton II. Known for playing incredibly hard and unwilling to back down from a challenge, Richard’s mentality mirrors that of another former second-round pick, Draymond Green.

The Warriors’ depth chart for the upcoming season remains in a state of flux with Jonathan Kuminga’s contract unresolved, leaving the team’s roster with some uncertainty. While it is likely that the young forward will be back with the team in some fashion, the standoff does leave some questionable depth at the off-guard/small forward position.

The mix of uncertainty and aging veterans in need of load management in the backcourt creates an opportunity for Richard to make the final roster cut out of training camp. While his contributions may be limited initially, if the Kuminga situation drags on or injuries hit, Richard could see an uptick in minutes and production, contributing 4–6 points in 8–10 minutes on a nightly basis.