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Getty Images Jordan Poole y Draymond Green de los Golden State Warriors.
The Golden State Warriors have some key contract decisions to make this offseason, which could leave rising guard Jordan Poole the outsider.
The Warriors haven’t been afraid to spend, but they find themselves in a precarious situation due to a massive payroll and a hefty luxury tax bill. With big contracts already on the books for Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the Warriors have to deal with Poole and Andrew Wiggins extensions very carefully.
While both Wiggins and Poole are eligible for an extension, they each have one more year left on their current contracts. While the Warriors would avoid the risk of losing by shutting them down early, it’s not a necessity, especially considering their luxury-tax situation.
As the Warriors figure things out, Poole is the player who could be left on the outside looking in, according to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Before making such a big decision, the Warriors would do well to see how both players progress over the next 12 months. But right now, given all the information available, Poole seems more likely to be the outsider. The reason is simple: Two-way wings like Wiggins are harder to find than strike-first shooting guards like Poole.
Poole coming off breakout season with the Warriors
Poole became a key player for the Warriors last season and was especially strong down the stretch. He averaged 24.7 points on 47.3% shooting, including 41.9% on 3-point shooting from him in the last 21 games of the regular season. He became a defensive problem at times in the postseason, but he also provided some timely baskets at key points, averaging 17 points during the title race.
Poole is expected to present a deal in the $100 million range, with fair comparisons between Portland guard Anfernee Simons, who just signed for $100 million, and Jalen Brunson, who was given $104 million by the New York Knicks. .
Waiting is not the worst option for the Warriors with Poole, to see how the situation develops. He will be a restricted free agent next offseason, but the team could match any deal if he maintains his offensive form, improves defensively and looks like a key player going forward.
Poole knows he’s due a payday, but said he hadn’t thought about his future during his exit interview.
“If I’m going to be completely honest, I haven’t been able to understand anything about that process yet,” Poole said on June 18. “I was so focused on the championship. We know it’s going to happen, we put ourselves in situations to be successful and everything else will take care of itself.”
Draymond Green also wants a maximum deal
There’s this idea that the Warriors simply paying off all their stars is the way to go. However, The Athletic reported that the Warriors don’t feel that’s a viable route, regardless of how deep their pockets are as they rack up the luxury tax.
What has complicated matters is that Green has made it clear that he wants a top-level contract. That would pay her $164.2 million over the next five seasons and she would be 37 years old at the end.
The former Defensive Player of the Year has two years left on his contract, the second being a player option for the 2023-24 season. He will earn more than $54 million between those two seasons, but he would like to see Golden State renew him. However, the Warriors have no intention of offering Green the maximum, according to The Athletic.
It’s clear some tough decisions are on the way for the Warriors as they look to extend their nearly decade-long dominance.
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