Joe Lacob just committed to the Warriors future. Big time.
Golden State’s governor gave the OK to two key contract extensions which were reported Saturday, as Jordan Poole signed a four-year, $140 million deal and Andrew Wiggins agreed to a four-year, $109 million accord.
So, just how much money do the Warriors already have committed on the books for 2023-24? Almost half a billion, when you consider the luxury tax and repeater penalties the Warriors face. ESPN front office expert Bobby Marks shared an updated look at next season’s payroll following the two extensions.
Considering the Warriors will have three roster spots open for next season, Marks figures the number will eventually settle north of $500 million.
Earlier this year, Lacob told The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami that it was unreasonable for the Warriors to break the $400 million barrier for player salaries, but it appears circumstances have changed.
“I’m going to tell you your numbers are kind of messed up,” Lacob said in June. “You were throwing numbers out like 400, 500 … those numbers are not even remotely possible. They’re just not. I’m already in trouble with the rest of the league. We are in trouble for being where we are.”
The NBA salary cap is set to expand in 2025 after the league negotiates a new media deal, but that is still three years off. The Warriors could be paying a huge premium to keep their squad around from 2023-25.
Draymond Green holds a $27.6 million player option for 2023-24 that will likely be much more money than he could command on the open market. Green discussed his future with the Warriors during a press conference Thursday.
"Quite frankly, I have two years left on my deal," Green said. "That's my focus -- how I'm gonna complete those two years. In saying that, yes, I do have an option at the end of this year. I have pretty great representation to make sure I had an option for the next year. When it's time to make that decision, then I'll stand in front of it, and whatever decision is the decision that I make. And I'll speak on it."
Here’s a look at the estimated salary commitments and options the Warriors have on the table for 2023-24, per Spotrac:
1. Stephen Curry - $51.9 million
2. Klay Thompson - $43.2 million
3. Jordan Poole - $31.2 million
4. Draymond Green - $27.6 million*
5. Andrew Wiggins - $24.3 million
6. James Wiseman - $12.1 million^
7. Kevon Looney - $7.5 million
8. Jonathan Kuminga - $6 million^
9. Donte DiVincenzo - $4.7 million*
10. Moses Moody - $3.9 million^
11. Patrick Baldwin Jr. - $2.3 million
12. Ryan Rollins - $1.7 million
BOLD - estimated
* - player option
^ - club option
