The Golden State Warriors appear ready to run things back next season despite a disappointing 2022-23 campaign and major salary cap ramifications. The Warriors had to fight to earn the sixth seed in the Western Conference and then were ousted in six games in the semifinals by the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA Rumors: Warriors Likely To Keep Core Intact, Jordan Poole’s Status Is Less Clear
While the Dubs’ NBA title defense officially came to a halt on May 12, it really never started. As the Draymond Green-Jordan Poole training camp fight fractured, the Warriors clubhouse and Golden State never fully recovered. Golden State’s inability to win on the road (11-30), injuries, an inefficient offensive transitional game, and poor defense were other reasons for the Warriors’ failed year. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andre Wiggins combined to miss 84 games this past season.
But the lack of trust/chemistry is the biggest reason that Golden State is already home, Steve Kerr said in his exit interview.
“Anytime some trust is lost, then it makes the process much more difficult, and there was some trust lost. That’s as blunt as I can be. We have to get back to what has made us really successful, which is a really trusting environment and a group that relies on one another and makes each other better.”
“There’s no hiding from it — the incident with Draymond and Jordan at the beginning of the year played a role in that. It’s hard for that not to impact a team.”
According to Kerr, rebuilding their culture will be one of Golden State’s top priorities this offseason. However, Kerr said he wasn’t sure how that would happen.
“I think those relationships within the organization have to be forged, and it doesn’t happen overnight.It’s like any other human relationship; it just takes time. We have to continue to allow these relationships to grow, but we need to purposely forge them, too, through not only the experience of what we’re going through but through communicating what everybody is feeling.”
What’s Next For the Warriors?
Golden State had the highest payroll in the NBA last season at $200.3 million. The Warriors project to lead the league in player salaries this year as long as they keep their core intact, which according to reports, is exactly what they expect to do.
Golden State has 12 players under contract for next year worth $210.6 million in salaries. With the NBA’s new CBA, the Warriors will be hampered trying to sign any free agents. Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, and Wiggins will make over $24 million next year. Thompson, eligible for an extension this summer, is entering the final year of his deal, while Green and Donte DiVincenzo have player options.
Five Warrior players are slated to be free agents. Anthony Lamb, Lester Quinones, and Ty Jerome are potential restricted free agents with qualifying offers. Andre Iguodala and JaMychal Green are unrestricted free agents.
Golden State owns the No. 19th pick in the 2023 draft. The Warriors have a tax-player exception worth $5.0 million and a trade exception worth $1.3 million.
Draymond Green
Keeping Green, whether he opts into his $27.58 million player option, appears to be one of the Warriors’ top priorities. If he declines the option, Green will be an unrestricted free agent. League sources have told The Athletic that the Warriors plan on discussing a multi-year deal with Green, who is expected to draw considerable interest from playoff-caliber teams, regardless of whether he opts in.
“Look, if Draymond is not back, we’re not a championship contender,” Kerr said. “We know that. He’s that important to winning and to who we are. I absolutely want him back.”
For his part, Green has said he hasn’t decided about the option and plans to take his time. His decision is due by June 29.
Green is far from his prime, although the 8.5 points he averaged were his most since 2017-18. The 33-year-old forward, who posted a career-best .570 effective field goal percentage this year, also remains an outstanding defensive rebounder. He is also still an elite defender and passer.
While Green is no longer a $27 million-type player, the Warriors are backed into a corner with their salary cap situation. So, it is in their best interest to keep Green.
Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga Future
While Golden State wants to keep its core intact, Jonathan Kuminga and Poole may be moving Kuminga had an up-and-down second season. The 20-year-old came on strong in the second half, putting up 13.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists with a shooting slash line of .572/.440/.667 in 21 games after the all-star break. But Kuminga fell out of the Dubs’ playoff rotation, averaging less than seven minutes over 10 contests, as Wiggins was healthy and Gary Payton II entered the lineup.
Per league sources, Kuminga will want a full-time role this upcoming season. So the biggest question for Golden State is, do they have a spot in their rotation for him?
Unless both Greens depart, it doesn’t look like Kuminga has a clear path to more playing time. Poole, DiVincenzo, and Payton project to be the first three off the bench. Lamb and J. Green will be Kuminga’s main competition for playing time behind D. Green and Kevon Looney.
If the Dubs don’t have a regular rotation spot for him, it is assumed he would like to be moved. But what kind of value can Golden State get for Kuminga? The Dubs dealt James Wiseman, the 2019 No. 2 overall pick, in a four-team trade that netted them Payton and a couple of future second-rounders. Golden State would seemingly want more for Kuminga or hang on to him, at least to the trade deadline.
Will Poole Be Dealt?
Poole’s status with Golden State is reportedly more uncertain. He is coming off a turbulent season, and his contract extension at $27.4 million kicks in next year.
Poole is a pure scorer, pumping in over 20 points a game, though his shooting percentages dropped to .430/.336/.870. The 23-year-old guard doled out a career-high 4.5 assists a game. However, he committed a personal-worse 3.1 turnovers per contest and struggled mightily in the postseason. Poole is also terrible defensively.
If Golden State does decide to trade Poole, there should be plenty of interested suitors. Poole has improved every year and demonstrated during the Warriors’ title run that he is a clutch player. The Warriors should be able to receive a considerable haul in return for Poole, as scoring is a premium asset.
