Warriors could potentially avoid first tax apron

The Golden State Warriors could potentially avoid the luxury tax next season.

The Golden State Warriors have reduced their total salary obligations during the offseason. With Klay Thompson and Chris Paul both leaving the franchise, the Warriors’ cap sheet looks healthier than it has in multiple years. During the 2023-24 season, Joe Lacob noted how he wanted the franchise to reduce its tax burden and potentially avoid being hit with another repeater tax.

In a recent article for Bleacher Report, cap guru Eric Pincus explained how the new cap rules and the Warriors’ recent moves in free agency have set the team up to potentially avoid the first tax apron in the upcoming season.

“The significant change for the Warriors was the reduction in luxury tax from last year’s league-leading $176.9 million penalty,” Pincus wrote. “It wouldn’t be shocking if the franchise dropped entirely below the tax line before the trade deadline. Thompson may be gone, but the team added De’Anthony Melton, Anderson and Hield while dramatically reducing payroll.”

The front office has done a great job of re-tooling the roster while also shedding a significant amount of salary. The Warriors are potentially better equipped than they were last season and could avoid being a luxury tax team in the coming months.
Whether the front office decides to pursue ducking under the luxury tax or commits to adding another impactful player to the rotation remains to be seen. Either way, it’s been a strong summer in the Bay Area.
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