Title contention comes at a price, one that Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers knows all too well. The defending champions, led by their core trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, were integral in the side’s NBA championship run last season, but the contract extensions and uncertain finances pose a challenge.
While Myers looks to retain the squad that won him the title, the Warriors paid a whopping $346 million in salary and luxury taxes last year, leaving the future of some of their matchwinners, Green and young gun Jordan Poole in a bit of a dilemma.
The GM will also look to retain the services of Andrew Wiggins, who is slated to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the new season. Per an ESPN Report, Myers shared his honest thoughts on the contracts of some of his key players.
“We want all of those guys. Can we get all of them? I don’t know,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers said at a press conference. “It depends on what the money ends up being. What the ask is what we can end up doing. We’re not at a point to make those decisions yet.”
Green and Wiggins were instrumental in the Warriors’ title run. The latter, in particular, was effective with his two-way play and held his own against the likes of Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum during the playoffs. Defender Green has always been regarded as the heart of the Golden State outfit and has inarguably been their leader in the locker room for more than a decade.
Poole was hands-down the team’s offensive weapon after Curry. With Thompson coming off a long injury layoff, the 23-year-old adapted to the Warriors’ style of play averaging 18.5 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in the 76 games he suited up.
The salary block for Curry in the 2022-23 season per HoopsHype is just over $48 million, while Thompson follows second with $40.6 million. Green and Wiggins’ salaries are $33.6 million and $25.8 million, respectively.
As far as updates go, there have been discussions between Myers and the two experienced players, but a contract extension hasn’t been set in stone yet. The Warriors will hope that team owner Joe Lacob is willing to break the bank to retain what has been the side’s best and consistent roster.
The Warriors will host the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night on October 18 at the Chase Center.
