Pat Spencer goes from Warriors depth to Suns two-way role, aiming to earn a bigger contract

The Phoenix Suns have agreed to a two-way contract with Pat Spencer, a move first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and echoed across major NBA outlets. Spencer spent the previous three seasons with the Golden State Warriors, where his NBA role grew year over year until he became one of the league’s more dependable end-of-bench playmaking options.

For Golden State fans, Spencer’s departure is less about a sudden disappearance and more about how quickly NBA roster math changes. He finished his Warriors tenure having appeared in 111 regular-season games and eight playoff games, with his on-court time and responsibility rising even when his minutes were still shaped by a crowded rotation.

Spencer’s progression followed a clear arc. As a rookie, he appeared in six games, then played 39 times in 2024-25 while averaging 6.4 minutes. The following season, his usage expanded substantially: he appeared in 66 games and started 14, averaging 18.6 minutes, 7.2 points, and 3.5 assists, numbers that helped him build a reputation as an energetic, self-created scoring and ball-handling option in the second unit.

At 6-foot-2, Spencer also brings a basketball background that stretches beyond the NBA. Coverage around his signing notes that he was a lacrosse standout in college, a detail that speaks to his athletic profile and how he has translated competitiveness and conditioning into his NBA work ethic. That is consistent with the kind of player teams use two-way deals to monitor, develop, and potentially convert into a standard roster spot.

The timing of the Suns’ decision fits the way Phoenix has often approached late-summer roster building: adding a low-cost guard who can handle multiple guard reps, contribute immediately in practice and summer-ready lineups, and then earn a clearer runway if he performs well early. One reason this matters is opportunity. With the Suns’ backcourt picture adjusting in the offseason, a guard with Spencer’s recent workload history and passing instincts creates a pathway for him to matter before the trade deadline even if he begins in a two-way capacity.

Spencer also has an NBA family connection. Reports note that his brother, Cam Spencer, plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, adding another layer of interest for fans tracking how athletic development and basketball IQ can show up across different teams and systems.

What to watch next is whether the Suns use Spencer primarily as a pressure reliever at the end of games, as a point-of-attack ball handler in non-star lineups, or as an emergency creator during stretches where Phoenix needs secondary playmaking. If he captures regular minutes quickly, the two-way deal can function less as a temporary label and more as a trial run for a standard contract. If he does not, his value will still likely show up in preparation and situational depth, areas that can become more important as injuries and matchup changes build over the season.

For Golden State, the bigger question is how the Warriors replace Spencer’s specific blend of pace, passing, and bench scoring without losing the continuity of a group that has valued development. For Phoenix, it is a chance to add a guard who already proved he could grow into a real rotation role, then earn the next step through performance rather than pedigree alone.