The title barely celebrated, the Warriors will have to look into some big issues in the next fortnight. There is the Draft of course, but also the extensions of several important players on the roster.
Party atmosphere in San Francisco with the fourth coronation of the Dubs in eight years and the time is therefore for champagne and festivities. Be careful not to abuse the good things despite everything because you will soon have to get back to work with the Draft then the Free Agency which are approaching at high speed. The free agent market, many of them can test it with the Warriors this summer and we’re not just talking about the guys at the end of the bench but about several players who have an important role in the roster. Among the main concerned: Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr. or Andre Iguodala. The first three cities were important in the Playoffs and they have good arguments to ask for a salary cut (Looney received 5 million this season, around 2 million for the others). Several franchises will obviously lurk in the shadows to try to lure them and it will be interesting to see how far Golden State is willing to go to retain its soldiers. Good news for fans, Bob Myers told Anthony Slater of The Athletic that he was going to try to keep everyone.
“We don’t know what the market will look like for our guys. We will make an effort to keep the team together. It’s a good balance between young, old and those in the middle. There’s not a single guy we don’t like. So let’s try. »
GM does well to say try because it can hardly make any promises given the franchise’s bright red finances. The owner may give the green light concerning the expenses, the note will quickly go crazy. The Warriors paid 346 million this season including 170 million in luxury tax! With several players asking for a raise, this figure could become even more scary. Need we remind you that Jordan Poole is also eligible for a new contract this summer and that he will be able to test the market in a year (as a restricted free agent)? Another major file on the GM’s table: the Andrew Wiggins case. Back in favor and brilliant in the NBA Finals against Boston, the winger is also coming to the end of his contract in 2023. It’s a lot of money to get out of the coffers, especially since the local Big 3 already weighs heavily in the finances (115 million in 2022-23). The good thing is that everyone seems eager to return to the Chase Center. Will they say the same if the discrepancy between the Dubs’ check and that of another franchise is high? It remains to be seen, but the project and the win sometimes help to make some financial concessions. Unless of course Joe Lacob and the other shareholders are willing to pay even more to seek the back-to-back.
Can the Warriors keep their squad intact this summer? It will probably take effort on both sides, but as long as the desire is there, anything is possible.
Source texte : The Athletic
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