Santos, selected 55th overall in 2022, spent his first season in the G League before earning a regular role this season. Since Jimmy Butler’s injury in January, he has stepped into the starting lineup and posted strong numbers, including 11 double-figure games in his last 12 appearances, averaging about 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game over that span.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr has highlighted Santos as a primary playmaker during a challenging season defined by injuries and inconsistency. Kerr specifically credited Santos for rising to the occasion when the team needed him most, noting his development as a versatile wing who can create off the dribble, defend multiple positions, and shoot efficiently from three.
The extension, estimated at $5 million per year, comes as Santos would have reached restricted free agency this summer. Golden State moves to protect its internal growth, recognizing Santos’s value as a potential long-term building block amid a season of setbacks.
Beyond the on-court impact, Santos carries significance for the franchise’s development pipeline and the broader narrative of Brazilian players in the NBA. Santos described the moment as a milestone not only for himself but for his family and fans in Brazil, underscoring the personal and professional meaning of his sustained progress with the Warriors.
