San Francisco, CA – The Golden State Warriors are continuing to aggressively bolster their roster with promising young talent, reportedly reaching an Exhibit-10 agreement with standout Houston guard and All-American, LJ Cryer. This strategic move aligns with the Warriors’ long-standing approach of identifying and developing undrafted players who possess the specific skills that fit their unique system.
An Exhibit-10 contract is a non-guaranteed, minimum salary deal for one year, commonly used by NBA teams to invite players to training camp. Its key feature is a potential bonus of $5,000 to $75,000 if the player is waived and then signs with and remains on the team’s G-League affiliate for a minimum of 60 days. This also provides the NBA team the flexibility to convert the Exhibit-10 deal into a two-way contract before the start of the regular season. For the Warriors, this is a low-risk opportunity to evaluate Cryer’s potential in their system, while for Cryer, it offers a direct pathway into the NBA pipeline and a chance to prove himself at the highest level.
LJ Cryer, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound point guard, comes to the Warriors with an impressive collegiate resume, having spent three seasons at Baylor, where he was part of the 2021 NCAA Championship team, before transferring to Houston for his final two years. It was at Houston, under the tutelage of renowned coach Kelvin Sampson, that Cryer truly blossomed into an All-American.
In his “super-senior” season with the Houston Cougars in 2024-2025, Cryer was a pivotal player for one of college basketball’s elite programs. He averaged an impressive 15.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over 40 appearances, leading the Cougars to a deep run in the NCAA Tournament where they were a top seed. His exceptional performance earned him Third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press (AP), United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), and The Sporting News (SN) in 2025. He was also a First-team All-Big 12 selection in 2025, following a Second-team All-Big 12 nod in 2024 and a Third-team selection in 2023.
Cryer’s offensive prowess is highlighted by his efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc. In his final season at Houston, he shot an impressive 42% from three-point range on a significant volume of attempts, a statistic that undoubtedly caught the eye of the Warriors’ front office. His ability to consistently knock down shots from deep is a foundational skill that aligns perfectly with Golden State’s offensive philosophy, which relies heavily on spacing, ball movement, and perimeter shooting.
Beyond his shooting, Cryer is known for his toughness, competitive spirit, and defensive tenacity – traits that are highly valued by the Warriors’ coaching staff, including Head Coach Steve Kerr and his new assistant, Mike Brown (who returned to the Warriors after a stint as the Kings’ head coach). Despite his size, Cryer plays with a relentless motor, often guarding bigger opponents and contributing to Houston’s famously stifling defense. His experience in high-pressure NCAA Tournament games, including a national championship run with Baylor and a deep tournament run with Houston, has prepared him for the intensity of professional basketball.
Cryer’s collegiate career statistics reflect his consistent growth and impact:
- 2020-21 (Baylor): 3.4 PPG, 36.4% 3P (NCAA Champion)
- 2021-22 (Baylor): 13.5 PPG, 46.8% 3P
- 2022-23 (Baylor): 15.0 PPG, 41.5% 3P (Third-team All-Big 12)
- 2023-24 (Houston): 15.5 PPG, 38.8% 3P (Second-team All-Big 12)
- 2024-25 (Houston): 15.7 PPG, 42.0% 3P (First-team All-Big 12, Third-team All-American)
His transition to Houston in 2023 allowed him to showcase his leadership and ability to be a primary scoring option while maintaining high efficiency. The fact that he was an All-American in 2025, yet went undrafted, likely stems from concerns about his size at the NBA level, but his high-level production and championship pedigree make him an enticing prospect for an Exhibit-10 deal.
For the Golden State Warriors, this signing represents another shrewd move in their ongoing effort to manage a complex salary cap situation while continually replenishing their roster with talent. With their core veterans (Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and the recently acquired Jimmy Butler III) aging, the Warriors need to find cost-effective young players who can contribute immediately or develop into future rotation pieces.
Cryer’s fit with the Warriors is intriguing. His shooting prowess is an obvious asset for a team that thrives on perimeter shooting. He could provide valuable spacing and a scoring punch off the bench. Furthermore, his defensive intensity and understanding of team defense, honed under Coach Sampson at Houston, could make him a surprisingly good fit in the Warriors’ defensive schemes, which rely on intelligent rotations and collective effort.
He will join the Warriors for Summer League, where he will have the opportunity to compete for a spot on the main roster. Even if he doesn’t secure one of the 15 regular-season spots, the Exhibit-10 agreement strongly positions him to land with the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s G-League affiliate. This would allow him to continue his development within the Warriors’ system, learning their offensive and defensive philosophies firsthand. The G-League has proven to be a valuable pipeline for the Warriors, having unearthed talents like Quinn Cook and Damion Lee in the past.
The signing of LJ Cryer, a Houston star and All-American, underscores the Golden State Warriors’ commitment to finding value in the undrafted market. It’s a low-risk, high-reward move that could potentially yield another diamond in the rough for a franchise known for its astute player development. For Cryer, it’s the beginning of his professional journey, armed with elite shooting, a championship pedigree, and the opportunity to carve out a role with one of the NBA’s most successful franchises.
