As the Warriors enter yet another important offseason to try and keep their dynasty alive, the futures of Jordan Poole and Draymond Green are among the top concerns.
The two teammates will forever be connected by last year’s punch in practice on Oct. 5, when Draymond clocked Poole and the video subsequently went viral. Since the season has ended, coach Steve Kerr, Draymond and other players have acknowledged that the team chemistry wasn’t right in 2022-23 as the Warriors tried to defend their title.
Entering 2023-24, Green is expected to try and negotiate a multiyear extension with the Warriors as he holds a player option for 2023-24. This season also marks the first year of Poole’s four-year, $123 million extension, but fans and media members think he could be a logical trade chip if the Warriors want to keep their skyrocketing player payroll down.
Anthony Slater of The Athletic provided an update on the situation Monday and it appears the Warriors want to keep the gang together.
“Poole is not actively being shopped, there is no edict to cut salary and his side has been given no current indication that his future will be elsewhere.” Slater wrote … “There are other obvious internal dynamics at play. The Green preseason punch of Poole left a locker room scar that didn’t heal and might never. Maybe extra time and some offseason conversations mend it. But there has been no him-or-me ultimatum given. The Warriors are operating under the assumption that both Green and Poole can again be on the same roster and push toward the same championship goal next season without issue.”
The interpersonal issues are one thing, but so are the finances. According to Spotrac, the Warriors spent a whopping $362 million on player payroll this season to set an NBA record. That figure jumps to $435 million in 2023-34 with the team’s current payroll, per Spotrac. It’s also worth noting that Donte DiVincenzo is expected to opt out of his one-year $4.7 million contract to get a multiyear deal, whether in San Francisco or elsewhere.
Slater also reported that Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Executive VP of Basketball Operations Kirk Lacob are expected to “step into elevated leadership roles” this offseason. They have a lot on their plate without Bob Myers, whose contract is set to expire on June 30.
