The Golden State Warriors stand one win away from becoming NBA Champions once again. This would be their 4th title win since 2015, showing that the team has successfully extended its dynasty even though Kevin Durant left the team in 2019.
A couple of seasons with injuries allowed the Warriors to use high draft picks to replenish their roster and asset pool, as the team looks like one of the most complete rosters in the entire league. However, building such a behemoth has come at a grave financial cost.
The Warriors have the highest wage bill of any team in NBA history this season, so teams are obviously competing at a disadvantage against them. This is something Brian Windhorst pointed out after GSW secured their Game 5 win over Boston.
“They have a $340 million payroll, you just don’t have to beat the Warriors on the court, you gotta beat their checkbook…this was a checkbook win for the Warriors” pic.twitter.com/3OzI3Jc0pX
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“Andrew Wiggins is not an underdog. He makes $32 million a year. While the Warriors were down these last couple of years and winning no games, they kept spending money because they’ve got it. They re-signed Draymond Green, they re-signed Steph Curry, they re-signed Kevon Looney and kept Andrew Wiggins.”
“They have a $340 million payroll when you consider taxes. You don’t just have to beat the Warriors on the court, but you have to beat their checkbook. Nothing against Andrew Wiggins, but this was a checkbook win for the Warriors.”
Windhorst is not incorrect in terms of the inequality in salary in a league with a cap in place. Rich owners will happily keep paying the tax to stay competitive, and the Warriors have done just that. Their high-lottery rookie contracts aren’t cheap either and will be extension eligible in a couple of years.
These spending habits have started alerting executives around the league, so it will be interesting to see how the Warriors deal with free agency this season, with Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins requiring contract extensions at the end of next season.
