With another NBA title in their possession, the Warriors will now see how much of their team they can keep together, writes Logan Murdock of The Ringer. One of the key pieces in question is center Kevon Looney, who will be an unrestricted free agent on June 30. Looney, who became the Golden State’s full-time starting center this season, said he hopes to re-sign with the team.
“This is definitely my number one option,” he said. “I’ve been here my whole career. … So this will definitely be number one.”
Looney should far exceed the three-year, $14.4MM contract he just completed, and the Hornets and Kings are both expected to pursue him, Marc Stein writes in a story for Substack. New Sacramento head coach Mike Brown worked closely with Looney during his time as a Warriors assistant.
There’s more on the NBA champs:
- The Warriors also face a decision on Andrew Wiggins, who will be eligible for an extension this summer ahead of unrestricted free agency in 2023, Murdock adds in the same piece. Wiggins has excelled since coming to Golden State in a 2020 trade and was an important part of this year’s playoff run. “I would love to stay here,” Wiggins said during today’s exit interviews. “This is top-notch. The way they treat their players, the way they treat your family. We’re all one big family. A lot of places might say that, but here their actions show it.” (Twitter link from Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area).
- Free agent forward Otto Porter expressed a similar sentiment in his exit interview, tweets Kendra Andrews of ESPN. Porter will be back on the open market after signing a one-year, minimum-salary deal last summer. “I do know this team can compete for another championship,” he said. “And I think it would be a great opportunity if I can stay here. It would be an amazing to be here with this group of guys again and do it all over again.”
- The Warriors set a league record by spending more than $350MM on combined salary and luxury tax payments this season, and that number could easily top $400MM in the next two years, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Insider link). He points out that payroll would reach $390MM if Looney and Gary Payton II are brought back at $6MM per year and would balloon to $430MM if the Warriors also use their mid-level exception.
The owners already said, “win at ALL costs”
Wiggins said
He likes the way Warriors owners treat the players family
IMO
Big pay checks
Hornets and Kings are likely to offer 4 years $43 million to Looney
IMO
Hornets own the 13th and 15th picks in next week’s Draft. I’d be surprised if they don’t draft either Duke’s Mark Williams or Memphis’s Jalen Duren to be their Center of the future.
I’d be surprised if the Hornets followed your opinion. You said the Warriors couldn’t win with Looney as their starting Center. So, your opinion is dubious.
The reports on the salary tax are just one part of the budget. Did they turn a profit when all is said and done. Just because you don’t pay the tax does not mean you are being financially successful. Is the profit margin so small that any tax payment destroys profitability?
We’ll likely never know team specific profitability, but the average NBA would have suffered losses spending the way GS has. The salary cap is set to 44.74% of basketball related income. With a cap of $122M next year, that would imply the average NBA team has just under $273M of total basketball related income. GS spent $350M on player salaries and tax alone.
They were making millions of revenue off playoffs and finals not counting merchandise sells so they did make money this year.
Adding to the Warriors financial situation is that the owners self financed the entire new basketball complex with all the hotels and restaurants. So, they can take a hit on the team as long as it is winning and fans are filling up the stadium, hotels, and restaurants.
Dubs easily can get additional—-at least 2 more titles during Curry/ Thompson/ Draymond/ Wiggins Era, with all the kids, plus role players, deep bench… Hey, I’m not a Warriors fan, but an NBA fan….just saying…
“Easily”? No
Possible…sure.
A lot of things went their way this year. And I will say it includes all three core guys getting BIG rest time on the injured list. Not intentional but I’m sure it benefited the three of them to sit out many weeks and not grind 35 minutes a night for 75-80 regular season games.
If Im the Warriors, I’d get rid of Draymond’s horrible contract while you could still get some value for him. I’d rather keep Wiggins over keeping that albatross of a contract. Gets the luxury tax lower too
You can’t get fair value for Green, he’s more valuable with the Warriors than any other team. Also he is on legend status in the Bay. He will be a Warrior until he retires unless he wants to play somewhere else.
There’s no dumping Dray.
GSW does not have to sign Wiggins, so don’t. They have one more year, then good players on rookie scales replaces him.
GSW have also to extend Klay next summer so Myers may extend for a cheaper younger Wiggins… W&S
D raymond should be kept. Klay and his $40 Million Salary. + Wiseman for Rudy Gobert + Royce O’Neal. Saves Golden State $6 Million , enough to cover GP2 and OPJ increases of salaries.
Curry, Poole, Wiggins, Draymond and Gobert
GP2, Lee/ Moody, Kuminga, OPJ , Royce ONeal
This allows the salaries to remain in the $170 Million area and with Luxury Tax reduction to $110 Million. With further decreases of the Luxury tax due to increase for 2023/24 of the luxury tax level
I proposed that Klay for Rudy trade some time ago …
Klay’s just as much of a legend in the Bay Area as Green if not more so, he’s not going anywhere either.
Agree with everything until the Wiggins note. I live on the opposite side of the country and don’t know the chatter about what he’s looking for in a contract but his potential was finally realized with the Warriors To me, he’s essential to keeping the dynasty rolling. Disconcerting that he spoke of “getting paid” during post championship win, locker room interviews and don’t know if he’s looking to break the bank, but placing him in with those shooters makes them potent for years to come
Wiggins is no alpha is a good fit but way too expensive if GSW offers him a 4Yr/100M$+ extension …
Green is going nowhere as long as the Warriors are still competing for championships. Also his contract is hardly an albatross contract. He has 2 years left at 25 million per year. There are many far worse contracts around the league for players who have never won anything and/or are constantly injured (e.g. Wall, Porzingis, Gobert, Hayward, Tobias Harris, Porter Jr, etc)
@LFG
Dray is a perfect example of “one man’s treasure…”. He should wake up everyday in thr morning and pray to God that he was drafted by the GSW and they knew how to best use his skills. His value wouldn’t be the same on most other teams with a few exceptions. He would be amazing playing with LBJ and on the Celtics because of how good he is on orchestrating the offense. other than that, not sure if her would be utilized correctly, if the chemistry orpersonnel would be right or if he would have the heart to make it happen elsewhere. I think he might retire rather than play elsewhere. He has his money, his podcast, a great connection to the ownership and LBJ who can open a lot of doors to media opps.
Kenny Atkinson just turned the Hornets head coaching job to return as an assistant with the Warriors. He will not be the only one to turn down more money and a bigger role to be with the Warriors. I believe Payton, Looney and maybe Porter will do the same. And all the info I’ve seen says that the Warriors are profitable even with their enormous luxury tax bill.
I agree with you with the exception of Porter (I see you wrote “maybe.”) I think somebody will appreciate his shooting and rebounding and sign him for more than the minimum the Warriors are looking to fill their bench with.
GP2 is looking for a 10M$ extension
Looney 3rd best player in thé PO is getting paid
Otto finished as a starter should get more …
Even Iggy can be extended
Iffy is retiring and will be brought back at some level in the GS hierarchy
IDK, sounds iffy.
Yes Iguodala can likely name his job. And then it will be Mr.Iguodala to u.
Iggy…sorry for the automatic spell correct
I want Looney but the Bucks make a ton of sense. And honestly I could see him becoming a stretch 5 there in addition to what he offers already. Kevon has the ability to shoot.
Why ?? We do Not need Looney !! We already have Holmes, who is cheaper, is a better rebounder and scorer !!