I Golden State Warriors, after winning the title, are scrambling to make ends meet for the payroll, which came in over $360 million last season, between compensation and luxury tax. Given the limited salary space available, the Bay Area franchise saw many of the ring-winners leave.
The likes of Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr, Damion Lee and Juan Toscano-Anderson have left California for more lucrative contracts elsewhere. In addition, Andre Iguodala is still a free agent and may retire while Nemanja Bjelica has returned to Europe.
Golden State confirmed Kevon Looney and welcomed Donte DiVincenzo, as well as rookie Patrick Baldwin. The roster of Steve Kerr still remains ultra-competitive with at least 11 players to rotate safely and the possible arrival, on a light contract, of JaMychal Green.
Problems, however, seem to be on the horizon as Wiggins, Thompson, Poole and Green will soon have to renew their deals. Just Green, according to The Athletic, seems intent on beating the drum after years in which he feels he has given up something to make the roster balance. The winger is intent on asking for the maximum salary and will most likely decline the player option for next season. Green and his agent Rich Paul would like a four-year deal from 138 million: the player would prefer to stay in San Francisco but seems ready to look around if he is not satisfied. For this reason, his entourage has already asked for negotiations while management would like to wait longer.
Draymond Green wants and believes he deserves a max contract extension, sources tell @anthonyVslater & @ThompsonScribe.
Including this coming season, such a deal would lock in Green for $164.2 million over five years.
What should the Warriors do?https://t.co/watYncDi7v pic.twitter.com/UyJhZtLHJW
– The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) July 27, 2022
However, it is difficult for the Warriors to guarantee him such a large compensation. Not least because, according to the calculation of The Athletic, by paying the four expiring stars the emoluments they deserve, Golden State would spend well 560 million a year. Eventuality that owner Joe Lacob has already categorically ruled out. Someone, therefore, will have to leave something on the plate otherwise the roster will lose more important pieces.
