The Golden State Warriors need an impact-maker to take the pressure off Steph Curry.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr played down an injury scare over Steph Curry ahead of their season opener against the Lakers. He had left a practice session early with an ankle problem.

The scare has heightened concerns about the reliance on Curry, and the need for other players on the team to step up.

NBA analyst Tim Legler believes Gui Santos is a player who can start to make a difference, picking him out as his player to watch in 2026-27.

He told the All NBA podcast: “Gui Santos. I liked him last year, but I think this year is going to be a whole other level. I just think the opportunity is going to be there for him.”

Legler believes Santos will come out hot at the start of the season and is backing him for a high-scoring start, to set the tone for the year ahead.

“I think right in the beginning of the season, the first five games of the year, I think this guy is going to have a couple of 20 point games out of the gate and it’s going to set the tone for his entire season. I just like his versatility, his demeanor. He competes.

“He’s very, very professional, really hard worker. He seems to take a genuine joy in playing basketball, which sounds crazy. You would think everybody has that, but some guys it stands out a little bit more and he’s one of those guys for me.”

Who do you think is going to be the Warriors' surprise of the season?

A rookie, a bench guy breaking into the rotation, or a starter ready to take a leap – you decide 👇

Gui Santos’ improvement

Gui Santos is entering his fourth season in the NBA. He played 68 games last season, up from 56 the year before and 23 in his rookie year.

His expanded role saw him average 20.5 minutes per game last season, while averaging 9.2 points per game.

Santos put up his career-high 31 points in March against the Nets, and another 27 against the Wizards two days later. He also put up 25 against the Cavaliers and 22 against the Thunder.

Now he needs to continue that late season form early this season, with Moses Moody, Kristaps Porzingis and Jimmy Butler all beginning on the sidelines.

If he can take another leap forward then it will help allay some of the criticism the Warriors have received over their player development.