Golden State Warriors Fans Call for More Gui Santos Minutes as Impact Becomes Clear
There has always been a section of Golden State Warriors fans advocating for more Gui Santos minutes in Steve Kerr’s rotation, and recent performances suggest their calls are more than justified. Santos, the 6-foot-7 Brazilian forward, has quietly emerged as one of the most impactful players in Golden State’s lineup over the past month. Yet, despite his evident contributions, his playing time remains inconsistent, largely due to Kerr’s reliance on veteran players with established track records.
Santos’ Recent Impact
Santos’ influence has been most evident in moments when the Warriors have needed energy and hustle on both ends of the floor. In Monday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, Santos did not see any action until the fourth quarter. At that point, Golden State found themselves trailing by 12 points. Despite entering late, Santos played all but 19 seconds of the final period, making a tangible impact in a high-pressure situation. He tallied six points, two rebounds, and an assist while posting a +13 plus-minus, a metric that reflects his influence on the game while on the floor. The Warriors ultimately fell by just one point, but Santos’ performance highlighted his ability to swing momentum quickly.
The following game against the Milwaukee Bucks further reinforced Santos’ value. With Gary Payton II sidelined due to injury, Santos played nearly 18 minutes and again proved crucial in Golden State’s 120-113 victory, finishing with a +12 plus-minus. These performances illustrate that Santos is not merely a bench filler but a player capable of making game-altering contributions in limited minutes.
Statistical Evidence
Since the start of December, Santos averages the 14th most minutes on the Warriors, yet leads the team in plus-minus (+78) during the same period. To put that into context, the next highest is Jimmy Butler at +35, while De’Anthony Melton is the only other teammate with a notable impact at +57. This data strongly suggests that Santos’ presence on the floor correlates with winning plays and positive outcomes, even when his minutes are limited.
While Kerr may view Santos as a “short, sharp energy player” who must operate at peak intensity, the evidence indicates that more consistent minutes could yield greater overall impact. His ability to create extra possessions, hustle for loose balls, and contribute defensively does not appear to diminish even with extended stretches on the court. For fans, the disconnect between Santos’ evident productivity and his inconsistent playing time is a source of frustration.
Positional Needs and Rotation Dynamics
The Warriors’ roster construction also underscores why Santos deserves a larger role. At 6’7”, he offers versatility in the forward position, a crucial need for a team that often finds itself undersized. Currently, Kerr sometimes leans on guard-heavy lineups that struggle to maintain defensive balance or compete in the paint against larger opponents. Santos provides a natural solution, capable of defending multiple positions, grabbing rebounds, and contributing to transition offense.
Additionally, Jonathan Kuminga, the former seventh overall pick, has not been a consistent part of Kerr’s rotation this season. If Kuminga were regularly occupying forward minutes, Santos’ intermittent role might be more understandable. Instead, with the young forward benched or limited, there is a clear opening for Santos to step in and absorb meaningful minutes. His impact, as demonstrated in plus-minus and key game performances, makes him a logical candidate for a larger, more stable role.
Strategic Implications
Looking ahead to the mid-season trade deadline, Santos could become an even more critical piece in Kerr’s rotation strategy. If Golden State were to pursue a high-level player via trade, the team may need to sacrifice some depth to accommodate a starter-level talent. In such a scenario, Santos stands to benefit directly, as increased minutes would naturally follow roster adjustments.
Moreover, Santos’ current role provides the Warriors with flexibility. He can serve as a bridge between starters and bench players, while also acting as a reliable defender against opposing wings. His contributions in transition and half-court settings give Golden State multiple lineup options, whether Kerr chooses to emphasize pace, perimeter shooting, or defensive versatility.
Fan and Team Perspective
Golden State fans have long appreciated high-effort players, particularly those capable of impacting games without dominating the stat sheet. Santos’ combination of hustle, defensive acumen, and timely scoring makes him a quintessential example. Fans have been vocal on social media and forums, highlighting the discrepancy between his impact and the minutes allotted to him.
From a team perspective, Santos’ value is clear. Beyond the eye test, analytics show he improves lineups significantly. Plus-minus, defensive rating when on the floor, and impact on transition scoring all indicate that he is an asset that could be maximized with a more defined and consistent role. While Kerr has historically leaned on veterans, Santos’ performances suggest that expanding his minutes could be a low-risk, high-reward adjustment.
Conclusion
Gui Santos has quietly emerged as one of the Golden State Warriors’ most impactful players, yet his role remains inconsistent due to Steve Kerr’s reliance on veteran rotation players. The evidence from plus-minus ratings, recent game performances, and team needs all point to a player deserving more consistent minutes.
With the mid-season trade deadline approaching, Santos could also benefit if roster changes create additional forward minutes. His combination of energy, defense, and scoring versatility makes him an essential piece of Golden State’s rotation puzzle, especially in a season where championship aspirations remain high. For fans, the message is simple: it’s time for Santos to see the court more often, and to play in a consistent role that matches the impact he has already proven capable of delivering.
