Regardless of the Golden State Warriors’ struggles to open the 2019-20 NBA season, they still have to pay the bills— and they are pricey. The Warriors are at the bottom of the NBA standings, but at the top of the NBA when it comes to salary.
The Warriors injured “Splash Brothers” backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson is on the books for over $72 million this season, while that doesn’t include their newest All-Star acquisition, D’Angelo Russell.
Russell was brought to the Warriors in a sign-and-trade contract from the Brooklyn Nets, where he inked a four-year max contract worth $117 million once landing in Golden State.
The Warriors offseason spending didn’t stop there as they locked up their former Defensive Player of the Year, Draymond Green, to a four-year $100 million max extension.
Locking up four All-Star caliber players for the significant future sounds excellent on the surface. Yet, now Bob Myers, Steve Kerr and Joe Lacob are challenged to find the right supporting cast to surround their core with, but for the right price.
Luckily for Golden State, they have a two-time NBA executive of the year calling the shots in Myers. The former UCLA Bruin turned Warriors general manager was integral in recruiting Kevin Durant to come to the Bay Area, and will now be tasked with extending the Warriors championship run with a limited payroll.
The benefit of Golden State’s down year in 2019-20 is that they’re in line for a premier draft pick for the first time in years. How Myers decides to use that pick will be crucial in the Warriors’ future success— whether they trade the pick or select a top-prospect, it will have a dramatic effect on the Warriors roster financially.
The 2020 NBA offseason, starting with the draft, will factor as one of the most important legs of the Warriors return to the top of the Western Conference. With Golden State currently hard-capped, with millions of dollars on the books for the future, the Warriors will have to get creative with how they spend their money going forward.
To get a feel for how the Warriors stand for the future financially, Warriors Wire dove into Golden State’s current player salaries.
(Salary information courtesy of HoopsHype.)