Spencer's Suns Move
Phoenix Suns Sign Former Warriors Guard Pat Spencer to Two-Way Deal
Key Points
Pat Spencer won the 2019 Tewaarton Award as Loyola Maryland’s lacrosse star and finished as the NCAA’s all-time leader in assists with 231, underscoring a highly decorated multi-sport background before his basketball ascent.
During Golden State’s Dec. 4, 2023 game in Philadelphia, Spencer delivered back-to-back 3-pointers late in a 99-98 comeback bid and shouted a defining line to the hostile crowd: 'I’m that motherf---er!'
In what’s described as his best NBA season to date, Spencer averaged 11.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 29.6 minutes per game over 14 starts, shooting 40.0% from deep.
Spencer’s professional journey includes stints in Germany and in the NBA G League with the Capital City Go-Go and the Santa Cruz Warriors, before solidifying a two-way contract with the Suns.
He first appeared with the Santa Cruz Warriors in 2022, marking his entry into the G League before making his NBA debut with Golden State late in the 2023-24 season and returning for a 66-game, 7.2-point season the following year.
Pat Spencer has agreed to a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns, leaving the Golden State Warriors after three seasons, according to SF Chronicle and Arizona Sports. The 6-foot-3 guard went undrafted in 2021 and built his way to the NBA through stints in Germany and the G League before becoming a Warriors fan favorite.
In 66 games last season with Golden State, Spencer averaged 7.2 points, 3.5 assists, and 18.6 minutes per game, with 14 starts. Phoenix plans to use him as a rotational guard while splitting his time with the G League as the Suns search for more depth around Devin Booker, per NBC Sports Bay Area.
From Lacrosse Star to NBA Two-Way Guard
Spencer's path to the NBA is unlike almost any other player's. He won the 2019 Tewaarton Award — the top prize in college lacrosse — at Loyola Maryland. He also finished as the NCAA's all-time assists leader with 231. After going undrafted in 2021, he played pro basketball in Germany before joining the NBA G League.
He suited up for the Capital City Go-Go and the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League before earning his first two-way deal with Golden State in 2024, according to NBC Bay Area. His younger brother, Cam Spencer, also plays in the NBA, per Arizona Sports.
Spencer's Best NBA Season Set the Stage for Phoenix
In his strongest stretch as a pro, Spencer averaged 11.4 points, 5.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals over 14 starts, shooting 40.0% from three. He logged 29.6 minutes per game during that run. Those numbers proved he could hold his own in real NBA minutes, not just garbage time.
High basketball IQ and toughness stood out as his calling cards. Draymond Green praised Spencer's smarts and competitiveness during his time in Golden State. That reputation made him an appealing two-way target for Phoenix, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
The Philadelphia Moment That Defined His Warrior Tenure
Spencer's most talked-about NBA moment came on December 4, 2023, in Philadelphia. Late in a tight 99-98 comeback bid, he hit back-to-back three-pointers in front of a hostile crowd. After draining the shots, he shouted to the Philly fans: 'I'm that motherf---er!' The clip spread fast and locked in his status as a Warriors fan favorite.
What the Two-Way Deal Means for Phoenix's Roster Plans
A two-way contract lets a player split time between an NBA team and its G League affiliate. Spencer will rotate in and out of the Suns' lineup while also playing for their G League squad. Phoenix has leaned on this model to add low-cost depth behind their core, according to Arizona Sports.
The Suns are trying to build more reliable pieces around Devin Booker heading into next season. Spencer's versatility as a guard who can pass, defend, and hit threes fits that need. At just over 30 minutes per game in his best starts, he showed he can handle a real role when called upon, per NBC Bay Area.
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