As we approach the 2023-24 NBA season, nearly all of the challenges that the Warriors faced last year have been resolved.
Jordan Poole’s disappointing regular season and postseason performance led to his being dealt to the Washingtоn Wizards, and the entire year was overshadowed by the feud between Draymond Green and Poole. In October of last year, a contract extension was put in place to prevent Andrew Wiggins from becoming a free agent. By acquiring Chris Paul, whose contract is not guaranteed beyond this year, the free-spending Warriors have produced what they believe would be long-term luxury-tax relief.
By signing Draymond Green to a four-year, $100 million deal this summer, the team was able to avoid a bidding wаr for the star free agency.
However, the franchise will have to deal with a potential issue if guard Klay Thompson decides to become a free agency after next season.
In an interview with Tim Kawakami of The Athletic this week, team owner Joe Lacob said, “We’ve had some very brief discussions at this point with his agent.” However, they are way too early. I think it’s reasonable to anticipate that we’ll have some serious talks shortly and try to work out a plan that keeps Klay around for a while, as we obviously want him to.After undergoing knee and Achilles tendon surgery in 2019 and 2020, Thompson, now 33 years old, appeared entirely back to normal this past season. ESPN reported in May that Thompson believes he is deserving of a $270 million, five-year max contract after he averaged $21.9 points on 43.6% shooting and 41.2% 3-point shooting.
Not after the Warriors reduced the salaries of Wiggins and Green, so he can forget about it. It’s still unclear how much money Thompson will end up with.
Heavy Sports reported last month that a Western Conference executive predicted that Thompson will earn $24 million to $35 million annually.
“You can make the case he is not that far off of a Michael Porter Jr. ($33 million next year) or a C.J. McCollum ($35 million next year), and those guys make a lot of money obviously,” the executive added. The contracts that R.J. Barrett ($24 million) and Tyler Herro ($27 million) signed last year are comparable, but both players are younger. Also, they’re not nearly as good.Therefore, predicting his final score is difficult. But now they’re at the point where you have to take these talks seriously; the stakes are about to rise.
Lacob Admonishes Thompson Deal Participants to Be Patient
It’s about to become serious, for sure. However, preseason doesn’t start until a few days before training camp begins, so it’s unlikely that the two parties will begin serious negotiations until then.
Lacob remarked, “Look, it’s August and there’s plenty of time to work all this out.” His current agreement will remain in effect until next year. I’m confident he is aware of our affection for him. And we’re going to try to make this a part of his career for the long haul.
Without a doubt, the team’s ability to retain Thompson will improve once the financial obligations associated with Poole’s first year of a four-year, $140 million contract have been eliminated. This is due to the fact that the team acquired Paul in exchange for Poole, and Paul’s $30 million salary for next season is entirely up in the air.
The Warriors may clear that cash from their books and redirect their efforts on retaining Thompson. It won’t be simple, especially in light of the league’s harsh new CBA rules regarding the luxury tax, but it can (and will) be done.