The NBA’s new league year officially started on Thursday and the Warriors finalized some big offseason moves.
The Chris Paul trade was officially announced, while the team has also formally signed backup guard Cory Joseph and second-round pick Trayce Jackson-Davis, while first-round pick Brandin Podziemski’s signing was announced earlier in the week.
Golden State’s backcourt will have a different feel beyond the Splash Brothers – Steph Curry and Klay Thompson – who have been a staple in the starting lineup for the past decade-plus. The Warriors shipped Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards along with second-year players Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins, while Donte DiVincenzo signed a four-year, $50 million deal with the New York Knicks this week.
Behind Curry and Thompson, now Paul, Joseph and Gary Payton II figure to get the lion’s share of minutes. It’s worth noting that the Warriors have lost Poole’s ability to be an explosive combo guard for Paul’s leadership/ability to handle the point, while Joseph is also more of a facilitator than a scorer.
Lester Quinones has been extended a qualifying offer, while last year’s two-way contributor Ty Jerome has signed a contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. As it stands now, the Warriors have 12 players under contract for next season, with Quinones officially a restricted free agent as he plays in Summer League.
It’s entirely possible the Warriors roll with 14 roster spots filled as they already have a $205.2 million payroll hit and $174.6 million in luxury tax commitments, according to @GSWCBA on Twitter. That’s $379.8 million total, about $20 million more than last season, though we can probably expect at least two more signings and two more two-way contracts to be offered this offseason, as teams can now sign three two-way contract players under the new CBA.
1. Steph Curry
2. Klay Thompson
3. Andrew Wiggins
4. Draymond Green
5. Kevon Looney
6. Chris Paul
7. Jonathan Kuminga
8. Moses Moody
9. Gary Payton II
10. Cory Joseph
11. Brandin Podziemski (rookie)
12. Trayce Jackson-Davis (rookie)
13. OPEN
14. OPEN
15. OPEN
16. Lester Quinones (qualifying offer)
17. Two-way spot
18. Two-way spot
