Cryer and Williams Competed for Warriors Rotation Spots
The guards are vying for backcourt minutes at the team's training camp in Hawaii.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Basketball
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LJ Cryer and Brandon Williams have spent the opening days of training camp competing to secure depth in the Golden State Warriors backcourt. As the team prepares for the season, both guards are working to earn roles in a rotation that must account for Steph Curry managing his aging knee.
Why it matters
The Warriors require quick guards capable of breaking down defenses and creating spacing to maintain their offensive system. Whether these players can effectively fill that void remains an open question as the coaching staff evaluates their performance.
LJ Cryer shot 39.4% from behind the arc last season, while Brandon Williams averaged 13.0 points per game but shot only 23% on 3-pointers. It remains unknown which guard will ultimately secure the primary backup role.
The players
LJ Cryer
A 6-foot-1 guard known for his perimeter shooting who is competing for a rotation spot.
Brandon Williams
A 6-foot-1 guard who utilizes his speed to drive into the paint to score or create for teammates.
Steph Curry
The veteran leader whose expected missed games for knee management drive the need for backcourt depth.
The details
During training camp at BYU-Hawaii, LJ Cryer has integrated with the performance staff following an ankle injury, highlighting his perimeter shooting ability. Meanwhile, Brandon Williams is leveraging his speed to attack the paint, where he took nearly 60% of his shots last season. The coaching staff will continue to assess both players' utility in a system that emphasizes floor spacing before the team returns to San Francisco.
Timeline
2025-26: Brandon Williams shot 23% from behind the arc.
October 2026: Warriors training camp session at BYU-Hawaii.
October 2026: Warriors open practice.
Across the Bay
This competition follows the roster evaluation patterns established during the 2025-26 Golden State Warriors season. It marks a continuation of the team's ongoing search for reliable guard depth to support the current core.
Fans in San Francisco should monitor upcoming exhibition results to see which guard secures consistent minutes. These rotation choices will determine the team's pace and floor spacing when the regular season begins.
The takeaway
Watch the team's early exhibition lineups to identify which guard earns the coach's trust for high-pressure situations. Tracking the 3-point percentages and turnover rates of these candidates provides the clearest indicator of who stays in the rotation.
Further reading
Follow the team's ongoing roster adjustments and practice updates in the Basketball section.
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