Warriors Sign Point Guard Yuri Collins to 10-Day Contract

San Francisco, CA — The Golden State Warriors have signed point guard Yuri Collins to a 10-day contract, as reported by Ohm Youngmisuk and Shams Charania of ESPN. This move comes as the team aims to meet the NBA’s minimum roster requirement of 14 players.

The Warriors dropped below the minimum following the recent trade of Jimmy Butler, necessitating the signing of a new player. Collins, at 23 years old, offers a unique story as he transitions from an undrafted player to a professional in the league.

Collins enjoyed a successful college career at Saint Louis University, where he was a four-year starter and led the Atlantic 10 Conference in assists for three consecutive seasons. He averaged 11.2 points, 10.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.6 turnovers during his final collegiate season, showcasing his exceptional passing abilities.

Despite his impressive stats, Collins faced challenges due to his 6-foot height and doubts about his shooting skills. After going undrafted, he joined the Warriors’ Summer League roster in 2023 and has been associated with the organization since. Over the last two seasons, Collins has had consistent playing time with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League, emerging as the team’s starting point guard this season.

In 33 games with Santa Cruz, Collins has averaged 14.1 points and 9.5 assists per game. His recent performance has been particularly notable; during February, he averaged 22.8 points and 10.0 assists over five games, producing an impressive shooting efficiency of 45.3% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range.

However, the decision to sign Collins has raised questions among analysts. While he has proven himself as a playmaker in college and the G League, his lack of experience at the NBA level could be a concern. Following the trade of Dennis Schroder, analysts suggest that the Warriors may need a more proven option to bolster their backcourt depth.

“Collins’ performance has been commendable in the G League; however, the Warriors are in a tight playoff race and need players who can contribute immediately,” said an unnamed sports analyst. The Warriors also recently signed Kevin Knox II, a former top-10 draft pick, suggesting a strategy to enhance their roster with players who have higher potential.

The timing of this contract is crucial, as the Warriors prepare for a matchup against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center following the All-Star break. While Collins might not have an immediate impact on the roster, the fact that he is on a 10-day contract allows the team flexibility to explore other options after this brief trial period.

As the Warriors continue their playoff push, it remains to be seen if Collins can solidify his position on the team or if this short-term contract will lead them to seek other additions ahead of the postseason.