The Golden State Warriors find themselves in a crucial stretch of the buyout market, a period that could determine whether their aging core can make another meaningful push, and exploring unconventional roster additions may be the franchise’s best path forward.

ClutchPoints writer Jedd Pagaduan recently suggested that the Warriors should consider reuniting with 33-year-old former forward Kyle Anderson, a versatile veteran whose combination of playmaking, defensive awareness, and experience could provide immediate value despite his modest statistical profile.

Pagaduan’s argument stems from the belief that Anderson’s cerebral style fits seamlessly within Steve Kerr’s system, which prioritizes movement, intelligence, and unselfish play—qualities Anderson displayed during his brief Warriors stint before being traded last season.

Anderson originally signed with Golden State prior to the 2024–25 campaign, appearing in 36 games and starting three while averaging 15.0 minutes per contest, offering steady contributions even with limited usage and a fluctuating role.

His time in the Bay ended abruptly when the Warriors executed the blockbuster trade that brought superstar forward Jimmy Butler to Golden State, a move that required including Anderson in the package despite the coaching staff valuing his presence.

According to Pagaduan, the Memphis Grizzlies—one of Anderson’s former teams—are expected to pivot toward a long-term rebuild during the 2025–26 campaign, creating a strong possibility that Anderson becomes a buyout candidate if they shift focus fully toward youth.

If such a buyout occurs, the door would open for a Warriors reunion, one that makes strategic sense given Golden State’s need for depth at the forward positions and Anderson’s ability to serve as stabilizing insurance behind the team’s inconsistent bench production.

The Warriors have struggled to find reliable two-way contributors since reshaping their roster around the Butler acquisition, placing added importance on acquiring role players capable of complementing their stars without disrupting offensive rhythm or defensive structure.

Anderson, known widely by his nickname “Slow-Mo,” brings a unique skill set centered around patience, positioning, and anticipatory passing, qualities that appeal especially to Kerr, who values players capable of elevating team flow through subtle yet impactful decision-making.

While Anderson may not be a high-volume scorer or a dynamic athletic threat at this stage of his career, his court mapping and defensive versatility allow him to guard multiple positions while keeping Golden State’s offense organized during second-unit stretches.

The Warriors’ desire to remain competitive despite aging stars places greater emphasis on acquiring steady contributors rather than high-variance projects, making Anderson’s profile even more appealing as the franchise looks to stabilize their rotation.

The UCLA product has quietly put together an efficient 2025–26 campaign, splitting time between the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies while averaging 7.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game on elite shooting splits, including an impressive 60 percent from three.

Those numbers reinforce Anderson’s continued viability as a role player who understands his responsibilities clearly, maintains strong spacing discipline, and delivers efficient touches without demanding the ball or disrupting the structure of an offense.

Given Golden State’s need for stability, Anderson’s experience could become vital for a Warriors bench unit that has lacked cohesion, consistency, and veteran direction throughout much of the season, especially during stretches where the starters rest.

Kerr has long favored intelligent veterans who make the “connective tissue” plays—swing passes, box-outs, backline rotations, and short-roll decisions—that often decide close games but seldom appear in highlight reels or box-score headlines.

Anderson excels in these areas, possessing a methodical pace that enables him to dissect defensive coverages and create efficient opportunities for teammates, a trait the Warriors have historically valued in their offensive orchestration.

His return would also give Golden State greater lineup flexibility, enabling Kerr to deploy hybrid small-ball units or larger defensive groups without sacrificing ball movement or losing structural integrity on either end of the court.

The Warriors’ forward depth has been tested extensively this season, with inconsistent performances forcing the team to rely heavily on starters for extended minutes, increasing wear and making the acquisition of reliable depth more critical than ever.

Even though Anderson may not dramatically elevate Golden State’s ceiling, his presence could significantly raise their floor by reducing the volatility of the second unit and offering Kerr a trusted option for matchup-specific defensive situations.

With the Warriors navigating a transition period marked by the arrival of Butler and the shifting roles of their remaining core players, adding someone like Anderson could help stabilize the environment and recreate the connective chemistry that previously defined their success.

Pagaduan’s analysis reflects a forward-thinking approach to roster management, acknowledging that buyout opportunities often produce valuable complementary pieces for playoff teams seeking to sharpen identity and reinforce structural weaknesses.

Given his familiarity with the Warriors’ system, the coaching staff’s trust in his basketball intelligence, and his current level of efficiency, Anderson stands out as one of the most realistic and logical buyout targets for Golden State.

While he may no longer be a major difference-maker, Anderson’s ability to blend seamlessly into team concepts and elevate secondary lineups gives him a unique value that aligns perfectly with the Warriors’ immediate competitive goals.

If a buyout becomes available, Golden State would be wise to explore a reunion that could strengthen their rotation, provide valuable experience, and help stabilize a roster searching for balance in the midst of a highly competitive Western Conference race.

Considering the Warriors’ current limitations, Anderson’s return would not just be nostalgic—it would be strategically sound, reinforcing the franchise’s commitment to maximizing every available avenue as they pursue future relevance and postseason viability.