The Golden State Warriors are heading into the 2023 season following a season filled with joy, success, and, ultimately, another NBA championship in their ranks. The Warriors got the job done thanks to their core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, although the “newbies”, including Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins, had invaluable roles. Next season, the Warriors are once again in the mix for the championship, and the Western Conference is on notice because the reigning champions are coming to win another title again. Of course, with Curry being the best point guard in the game and the rest of the team playing the best offense in the league, the Warriors are here to stay.
- Warriors Fantastic Four Worth Over $145 million
- Key Role Players Are On Team-Friendly Contracts
- Benchwarmers Salaries
- What Will The Warriors Salary Cap Could Look Like Next Year And Going Forward?
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But there remain a few major questions relating to how the team will look for the long-term because they cannot afford to pay everybody max contracts. Sure, Stephen Curry deserves all the money he is earning and is locked in for the foreseeable future. Similarly, Klay Thompson is the 2nd best shooter in the world when healthy, and he cannot be moved. Andrew Wiggins is one of the best two-way players in the world and could be locked into a long-term deal. But how do Draymond Green and Jordan Poole fit into Golden State’s long-term plans? That could be a question for the 2023 offseason because right now, the core is fixed for next year, and they got the job done last year.
The Golden State Warriors are currently on top of the NBA world right now and have a lot to be positive about in terms of their talent and championship experience. But how is their salary cap looking? Specifically, how much are the Warriors’ players getting paid in the 2023 season? With a ton of excitement and positivity in the Golden State camp and the start of the season still a few weeks away, here is what the salary breakdown looks like for the Warriors.
1. Stephen Curry – $48,070,014
2. Klay Thompson – $40,600,080
3. Andrew Wiggins – $33,616,770
4. Draymond Green – $25,806,468
5. James Wiseman – $9,603,360
6. Kevon Looney – $8,000,000
7. Jonathan Kuminga – $5,739,840
8. Donte DiVincenzo – $4,500,000
9. Jordan Poole – $3,901,399
10. Moses Moody – $3,740,160
11. JaMychal Green – $2,628,597
12. Patrick Baldwin – $2,226,000
13. Jerome Robinson – $1,902,133
14. Mac McClung – $1,637,966
15. Ryan Rollins – $1,017,781
16. Pat Spencer – $1,017,781
17. Trevion Williams – $1,017,781
18. Lester Quinones – $508,891
19. Quinndary Weatherspoon – $508,891
Team Total: $196,043,912
Warriors Fantastic Four Worth Over $145 million
Stephen Curry – $48,070,014
Klay Thompson – $40,600,080
Andrew Wiggins – $33,616,770
Draymond Green – $25,806,468
Obviously, the superstars are getting paid large sums of money next year. Stephen Curry is the highest-paid player in the world, and deservedly so. He averaged 25.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 6.3 APG for the Warriors during the regular season and was the Finals MVP for the team in the playoffs. He even pulled that off despite dealing with the absence of Klay Thompson early on and the inconsistent play of Draymond Green. In terms of talent, there isn’t a more impactful point guard than Stephen Curry right now. The talented scorer is the most dominant shooter in the world, and keeping him was the priority of the Warriors organization. He will get paid over $48 million next year, which is not an issue. Amazingly, he is earning over $50 million over the next 3 seasons starting in 2024 as well.
Next, Klay Thompson is making over $40 million, which is a ton of money for a player who averaged 20.4 PPG last year in only 32 games played. But that is no surprise when a large part of what the Warriors do is down to Klay’s presence as a shooter and perimeter defender. Not to mention, team chemistry is a valuable aspect of the NBA, and he has that down to a science with Curry and Draymond Green. But definitely, next year, the Warriors are hoping Klay will be back to full health and will play over 70 games to showcase his talents on the offensive end of the floor. At full health, Klay is easily worth his money but availability has been the major issue that should not matter, considering they won the title last year.
Andrew Wiggins is making over $33 million next year and will be a free agent afterward. Expect the Warriors to max out the first-time All-Star who was incredibly impactful in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. The swingman is one of the best two-way players in the league, and his shooting has taken a jump as well. A player with elite athleticism and improving basketball IQ, Wiggins is a perfect fit alongside Curry and Klay at age 27. He is arguably the second-best player on the Warriors based on what he does on both ends of the floor, and being an All-Star starter in the West means he is worth the money he is getting paid as of the 2023 season.
Finally, Draymond Green is making over $25 million. At his peak a few years ago, and when healthy, he was easily worth the money. Green is a hellacious defender, an impactful playmaker, and a solid rebounder. While he cannot shoot as consistently as other players on his team, he makes up for that by doing everything necessary to win games. Of course, Green is clearly past his best, and he does have a player option in the 2024 season, which he will absolutely entertain, considering he won’t be a max player after that. Even if his numbers are below-average for his contract, Green is a player who maximizes team chemistry, and that proved invaluable last year.
Key Role Players Are On Team-Friendly Contracts
James Wiseman – $9,603,360
Kevon Looney – $8,000,000
Jonathan Kuminga – $5,739,840
Donte DiVincenzo – $4,500,000
Jordan Poole – $3,901,399
Moses Moody – $3,740,160
JaMychal Green – $2,628,597
James Wiseman is making over $9 million, and clearly, the Warriors have not seen any part of what the big man can do. For some Warriors fans, they can’t wait to get him off the books. Wiseman only played 39 games over the last two seasons due to injury, which is not his fault. But when healthy, Wiseman has a ton of potential as a big man who can shoot, rebound, and defend the rim. Golden State will either happily pay the young man to develop and get healthy because his presence will be critical as a more talented version of Kevon Looney. He has a team option in 2024 and a qualifying offer in 2025.
As an active big man who does his job, Kevon Looney is a stout defender who can rebound and will be a critical player in the Warriors’ system. Looney is not a great player when looking at his stats, but he sets picks, rolls to the rim, and knows what the offensive plays will entail. He has built tremendous chemistry with Steph and Klay, and that alone makes the big man worth $8 million per year and above over the next three years. Jonathan Kuminga can play a bigger role next year as a forward who can defend, shoot, and pass the ball well. Kuminga has a ton of potential, and he is on an extremely team-friendly contract that the Warriors can take advantage of.
Obviously, Jordan Poole is the best player on the Golden State Warriors bench. He is only making $3.9 million next year and is due for a max contract after that. Teams will be scrambling to sign him to a max deal, with teams like the Orlando Magic reportedly in the mix to do so. Obviously, the Warriors have a decision to make in regards to deciding which player to keep, and Poole has to be one of the priorities. He was one of the contenders for 6th Man of the Year and averaged a career-high 18.5 PPG while leading the NBA in free-throw shooting last year. Not to mention, Poole hit one of the biggest shots in the playoffs during Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Moses Moody can be a solid two-way player, and he had flashes of looking very solid last year. The additions of Donte DiVincenzo and JaMyhcal Green could be very positive ones because both players have high basketball IQ and can also score the ball well. DiVincenzo is a capable point guard and shooting guard who can defend and score, meaning he will be a solid role player. He only played in 42 games last year, but he has the makings of a solid Warriors role player. At 6’8” and 227 lbs, Green has the size to be another defender as well and will play off the stars very well. He played for a playoff team in the Denver Nuggets last year and is a hustle-first player who simply helps you win games.
Benchwarmers Salaries
Patrick Baldwin – $2,226,000
Jerome Robinson – $1,902,133
Mac McClung – $1,637,966
Ryan Rollins – $1,017,781
Pat Spencer – $1,017,781
Trevion Williams – $1,017,781
Lester Quinones – $508,891
Quinndary Weatherspoon – $508,891
The Warriors bench players are all in team-friendly contracts, and for a good reason. Patrick Baldwin can step in and play bench minutes because he is a steady playmaker who plays hard and can make shots as well. Jerome Robinson played a career-high 24.0 MPG two seasons ago with the Washington Wizards, and he should aim to hover around that time again this season. He can play a role when Curry and Klay are resting, so he will be a shot-maker off the bench while making under $2 million per season.
Obviously, the most interesting name off the bench is Mac McClung. He is already a fan favorite because he can clearly shoot the ball and has a scorer mentality. At 6’2” and 185 lbs, McClung lacks the size to be a primary defender, but if he can come in and heat up, he is already an advantage to the Warriors at a contract that pays under $1.7 million per year. McClung already has some highlights from the offseason, so hopefully, he can build on last season when he played for the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers at an average of 12.5 MPG. Otherwise, Golden State has a host of young players who will have a lot to prove and will benefit from learning from an incredible coaching staff and group of players who have had countless battles in the playoffs.
What Will The Warriors Salary Cap Could Look Like Next Year And Going Forward?
The Golden State Warriors salary cap will take a $196,043,912 hit next year. That ranks 1st in the NBA, and that is mainly because of their star players. They have over $145 million tied up to their four stars, which makes sense considering how dominant they can be if healthy and motivated. Golden State is clearly going all-in for the title again in 2023, so they should have no problem going over the luxury tax if it means boosting the Warriors’ status above the likes of the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers. Every team improved during the offseason, and the Warriors must click on all cylinders to truly contend at the highest level. Luckily, they will be considered the favorites because they came off a championship season.
But the Warriors have a ton to think about when it comes to their long-term future. For one, is Draymond Green worth the max money anymore? He will likely opt-in in 2024 to maximize his earnings, but after that, will he be willing to sign a more team-friendly deal? Will Golden State trade Draymond after next season? That could depend if the Warriors make another Finals run, and they might want to keep the core if they win another championship or at least get close again next year. Green is the vocal leader of the team, and no other player brings the level of toughness that he brings.
Next, will the Warriors have to choose between Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins? Poole seems to be a more capable offensive player, but that was mainly because he was given priority coming off the bench. He is a natural shooter and seems to be a Splash Brother 3.0, but he does not defend like Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins is an elite perimeter defender, and he had a bigger impact in the Finals last year. There is no way Golden State can afford to dish out max contracts to everybody, and they have to choose between Wiggins and Poole, especially if they keep Draymond long-term. Other than Steph and Klay, no player is guaranteed max money considering the level of talent the Warriors have.
Overall, Golden State is right back in the mix for the NBA championship next year because they have a load of star players and capable role players who bring it on both ends of the floor. Poole, Wiggins, and even Wiseman are all on team-friendly contracts next year and will be motivated to prove their worth. That means they could have the best seasons of their careers alongside Steph, Klay, and Draymond, which bodes well for the team’s championship chances. If they win another title, the Warriors will need to decide who they want to pay in priority and also who is more expendable.
The 2023 season is extremely interesting because winning another championship could place the Warriors in the conversation for being the greatest dynasty of all time alongside the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and the Boston Celtics. Of course, this is also a key season for players such as Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole because max contracts could be heading their way if they play well enough. Perhaps most importantly, Draymond Green will need to bounce back because there aren’t guarantees about his contract either.
