The Golden State Warriors have been succesful in unearthing unheralded rotation players in recent years, and fans may have just got their first glimpse at another young potential rotation piece.<\/p>\n
In waiving Malevy Leons prior to the start of the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder might have just gifted a promising prospect to the Warriors after an impressive performance from the 26-year-old against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Malevy Leons may prove Warriors newest hidden gem<\/p>\n
Having appeared in just 21 garbage time minutes since signing a two-way contract with the Warriors in early December, Leons got his first real rotation opportunity in Memphis thanks to the absence of a number of key veteran players.<\/p>\n
Leons certainly didn’t look out of place on either end of the floor in his nearly 18 minutes, putting in a strong performance on both sides that certainly drew the attention of plenty of fans across social media.<\/p>\n
Malevy Leons is DOING THINGS OUT THERE. He’s 6’9″ with a 7’1 wingspan. It’s a miracle!!<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jim Park\ud83c\udfc0\ud83c\udf0c (@Sheridanblog) February 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Leons is interesting. The length works on both sides, smart cutter and good energy<\/p>\n \u2014 Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) February 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n This Leons dude is providing some really serviceable energy on a night the Warriors really need it<\/p>\n \u2014 Niko (@nikotaughtyou) February 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n With a skinny 6’9″ frame and a big 7’1″ wingspan, it’s certainly not difficult to identify Leons on a Golden State team that so often lacks size. Yet it was how he used that size that was impressive, including in one-on-one matchups defensively, on the glass as an active rebounder, and in an emphatic dunk on a drive from the perimeter in the fourth-quarter.<\/p>\n Leons finished with nine points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, shooting 3-of-5 from the floor and nailing his only 3-pointer. Unfortunately he missed a pair of free-throws late in the game that left him as the only Warrior player not to reach double figures in scoring, but that didn’t stop head coach Steve Kerr from identifying the second-year forward during his post-game press conference.<\/p>\n “I thought Malevy was awesome. Just the energy, defending without fouling. Creating some problems for them on the defensive end of the floor, and then making some nice plays on offense too. It was fun to watch him play,” Kerr said.<\/p>\n Warriors head coach Steve Kerr highlighted Golden State\u2019s ball movement and the play of Malevy Leons.<\/p>\n \u201cA really good night for everybody who stepped on the floor. \u2026 Malevy was awesome. The energy defending without fouling.\u201d<\/p>\n