How JP, Wiggs deals could give Dubs massive tax bill next year originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The Warriors made two huge commitments Saturday by signing Andrew Wiggins to a four-year contract extension and closing in with Jordan Poole on another four-year extension.
Wiggins’ deal reportedly is worth $109 million, while Poole reportedly will receive $123 million in guaranteed money, with the chance to make another $17 million in incentives over the life of the deal.
But those two deals, in combination with another looming move, could send the Warriors’ salary costs through the roof.
If Draymond Green remains with the Warriors through the upcoming 2022-23 NBA season and exercises his $27.6 million player option for 2023-24, Golden State is looking at a total roster bill of $483 million, with the chance to exceeed $500 million with additional moves, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported Saturday, thanks to the league’s luxury tax.
Marks’ projection is based on the Warriors having 12 players under contract for 2023-24 if Green and Donte DiVincenzo exercise their respective player options. Those 12 players would account for base salaries of roughly $215 million and an estimated luxury-tax bill of $280 million. Golden State then would need to fill out its roster, spiking the bill even higher.
Spotrac estimates that Wiggins’ salary in the first year of his extension will be $24.33 million, a significant pay cut from this season ($33.6 million). On the other hand, Poole’s salary will jump from $3.9 million this season to a projected $31.25 million next season.
Now, Green’s Warriors future is murky at best after he punched Poole during an Oct. 5 practice. The four-time NBA All-Star stepped away from the team for a few days but returned to practice Thursday, and played in Golden State’s preseason finale Friday night.
While most outside observers expected the Warriors to suspend Green for his actions, they decided not to do so, instead levying an undisclosed fine. He will play in the season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Chase Center and collect his fourth NBA championship ring before the game.
At this point, maybe only the Warriors know what they plan to do with Green. They could move him before the NBA trade deadline in February in order to avoid having him opt in for next season. But that might not be how they want a franchise icon’s tenure to end.
Green has been pivotal in the Warriors winning four NBA championships in the last eight seasons, but with his future in limbo, the team decided to prioritize locking up Poole and Wiggins, two younger players who have the ability to prolong Golden State’s title window.
RELATED: Warriors secure Steph’s successor with Poole’s extension
Warriors CEO Joe Lacob has publicly stated that the team’s spending over the last few years isn’t sitting well with other NBA teams. The total cost of Golden State’s 2021-22 roster was around $380 million, and it’s hard to see Lacob willing to blow through that number next season. But he wants to win as bad as anyone in professional sports, so you never say never.
Lacob and Warriors president/general manager Bob Myers have some massive decisions to make between now and next summer, and those choices could have a huge impact on how much the roster costs next season.
Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast
