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Golden State Warriors: Setting expectations for pending free agents

By Simon Cherin-Gordon

Jun 7, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The Golden State Warriors have dominated the NBA with a ridiculously affordable roster over the past three years, but one of those things is about to change. The Warriors will likely choose more titles over fiscal prudence, but even that may not be enough to retain everyone. Here, we break down each pending free agent’s skill set, while projecting their market and price tag.

Two-time NBA Executive of the Year Bob Myers has long since been your favorite owner’s favorite general manager. Not only has he built Joe Lacob and Peter Guber a championship roster over the last five years, but he has only cost them one luxury tax bill while doing it.

This incredibly affordable Golden State Warriors juggernaut has been made possible, first and foremost, by paying the best offensive player in the NBA like a fringe starter. Stephen Curry‘s four-year, $44 million extension allowed Myers to bring in Andre Iguodala, max out Draymond Green and Klay Thompson and add the third-best offensive player in the NBA to the mix, all while paying less than teams like the “frugal” Charlotte Hornets or “small market” Memphis Grizzlies.

The rising salary cap has also helped, until now. The cap is peaking this summer at $99 million, but max contracts for superstars can be bigger than ever before. This, just as Curry and Kevin Durant come off the books.

Amazingly, Myers has built so prudently that he could retain both MVPs and stay well below the luxury tax threshold ($119 million). The Warriors only have $39 million in committed salary next year. However, with Iguodala and Shaun Livingston also looking for one final payday, things will get pricey quickly. Lacob and Guber are sure to give Myers luxury tax-paying leeway after a second title in three years, but how much remains to be seen.

That, along with the market, will determine how many of Golden State’s 10 free agents it will be able to retain.

Here is a look at the likely price tag of each Warriors player hitting the market.

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