Warriors Reshape Roster: Quiñones, Garuba Depart as Future Vision Takes Center Stage

The Golden State Warriors are making calculated moves to fine-tune their roster ahead of the upcoming season, officially parting ways with two players: guard Lester Quiñones and forward Usman Garuba. These strategic decisions, announced on Saturday, October 21st, create crucial flexibility for the franchise as it navigates both immediate competitive goals and long-term talent acquisition.

Lester Quiñones, who initially signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the team, showed flashes of potential during his stint.

A two-way player in the G-League last season, Quiñones averaged an impressive 17.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 30.6 minutes per game for the Santa Cruz Warriors. His efforts earned him a spot on the All-NBA G League First Team, demonstrating his scoring prowess and development. Despite his promising play, the Warriors opted to waive him, a move often made to open up a standard roster spot or allow a player to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Similarly, Usman Garuba, a former first-round pick by the Houston Rockets, saw his time with Golden State come to an end.

Garuba, a Spanish international known for his defensive versatility and rebounding, was signed to a two-way contract in late September. While his defensive intensity and athleticism were appealing, the Warriors' decision suggests they are looking in a different direction for their two-way slots or prefer to use that flexibility for other prospects as the preseason concludes.

These roster adjustments are more than just cuts; they are a clear signal of the Warriors' proactive approach to managing their lineup.

By clearing these spots, Golden State now possesses greater maneuverability to potentially add a veteran presence, evaluate other G-League standouts, or even convert another player's two-way deal into a standard contract if they impress during the final preseason games.

Adding another layer of intrigue to the Warriors' long-term strategy is the recent high-profile visit from five-star Duke commit Cooper Flagg.

Widely considered one of the top prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft class, Flagg's presence at a Warriors practice, where he reportedly met with coach Steve Kerr, signifies the franchise's dedication to monitoring elite future talent. While a direct connection to the current roster moves isn't immediate, it underscores the Warriors' dual focus: optimizing the present while keeping a keen eye on building a sustainable championship future.

As the preseason winds down, all eyes will be on the Warriors' final roster decisions.

These cuts, combined with the underlying pursuit of future stars like Cooper Flagg, paint a picture of a franchise meticulously planning its next steps, eager to maintain its competitive edge for years to come.