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This offseason prior to the 2023-2024 NBA season may be one of the most important offseasons ever for the Warriors' franchise. With the players and front office seemingly divided over the old generation, consisting of Curry, Thompson, and Green, and the new generation, consisting of Poole, Kuminga, Moody, and at one point, Wiseman, it's clear that this offseason, the Warriors have to make a firm decision on which generation they value more, as this past season has clearly proved that this "two-generation" approach simply does not work for contending teams and even decimates team chemistry and team dynamics, as symbolized first through the infamous Green punch to Poole. In the playoffs, this clash between the old vs the new was magnified, with vets like Curry making inspired, passionate speeches about the idea of "buying-in" and a team-first mentality whereas some of the young guys like Poole and Kuminga were clearly frustrated with their lack of playing time in the playoffs, indicated by Warriors inside reports and simply, their body language on the bench. With some context for the 2023 offseason in mind, let's dive into the decision that the Warriors will have to inevitably make this summer.
1. Draymond Green's Contract Situation
Green is up for a player option this summer, meaning he has the choice to opt in to the contract, allowing him to play one more year with the Warriors on roughly a 27.5 million dollar salary, or he can opt out of the contract and become an unrestricted free agent, with the choice to go anywhere he wants, depending on what kind of contract offers he receives. It's also possible that he opts out of his contract but still resigns with the Warriors on a new, long-term deal. In my opinion, Green's value to the Golden State Warriors was accentuated this season and in the playoffs, despite all that drama that initially happened at the start of the season. Kerr has said it, and the front office seems to believe it as well: without Green, the hopes of a championship in the future is over. So, it's the front office's number 1 priority to resign Green by any means necessary. Green will probably opt out of the contract as he wants more than 27.5 million a year, and the Warriors should be OK with that, as long as they offer him a new long-term deal, potentially somewhere around the ballpark of 3 years, 90 million. There's clear mutual interest between Green and the Warriors, so Green will probably resign with the Warriors once a fair contract is offered to him. The best case scenario for the Warriors is probably a new contract up to 3 years for Green, since a 3-year contract for Green means both his and Steph Curry's contracts will end on the same year. As long as Steph Curry is on the team, the Warriors should strive to seek a championship, and a new 3-year deal with Green will allow them to do so.
2. Bob Myers
Though Bob Myers isn't a player on the Warriors, he is undoubtedly one of the keys to the Warriors' dynasty, serving as the architect of all the Warriors' championship teams this past decade. His contract will expire on June 30, and according to multiple reports, the Warriors have offered him a historic contract that gives him an 8-figure salary. Despite that historic contract offer, Myers says he is still taking his time, considering all the options and offers he's bound to receive from other teams. Losing Bob Myers significantly hurts the chances of the Warriors' ability to win championships, so it's crucial that the Warriors get him back on a new contract.
3. The Young Guys- Particularly Poole and Kuminga
In the case of Kuminga, it has already been reported that his team will meet with the Warriors this offseason, and if the Warriors can't promise a secure, consistent rotation spot for Kuminga next season, then his team will demand a trade that allows Kuminga to get more playing time elsewhere. Honestly, his mentality and frustrations with regards to his playing time are somewhat justified, as Kerr clearly just did not trust him when times mattered most. Every player would probably be frustrated if they played 20+ minutes consistently in the regular season and produced efficiently, then all of a sudden playing 0 minutes in the playoffs. Kuminga has shown glimpses of star potential when given a chance, and that's all he needs from Coach Kerr- a chance. The leaguewide consensus is that most front office personnel still see Kuminga as someone with high value and star potential, so it'd be a shame if the Warriors can't secure a solid rotation spot for Kuminga and just trade him for something no where near his value. However, in the case of Jordan Poole, his reported frustrations with playing time in the playoffs is quite frankly, immature and unprofessional. When given the minutes, he has been an absolute negative for the Warriors, on both ends of the ball. Defensively, he has been taken advantage of the entire playoffs, and offensively, the area where he's supposed to shine, Poole has been horrid as well, seemingly producing more turnovers and fouls combined than points. Honestly, that lucrative contract extension of 4 years, 128 million seems like an overpay and has greatly set the Warriors back in terms of their financial situation, especially with the new CBA agreements that will be kicking in next offseason. With those new regulations soon to be in place, the Warriors have to shed salary, potentially starting with Poole. Due to his "I>team" mentality and his obvious defensive incapabilities, he doesn't really fit the Warriors system, though he still has trade value despite such a lackluster playoff performance. A rebuilding team that need guards might be willing to take him. Stay tuned for an article about potential trade packages for the Warriors surrounding Poole.
4. Klay, the Draft, and Role Player Contracts
Klay is up for an extension, and the rules for the Warriors are simple: if Klay demands a max contract/extension, then just let him walk after next year, where he becomes an unrestricted free agent. However, resigning Klay for a contract of roughly 2 years, 70 million dollars next offseason is probably doable for the Warriors. Again, the 2 years lines up with Curry's current contract, meaning if a 2 year deal is completed next offseason, then Klay and Curry's contracts will both expire at the same time. As for the draft, it's pretty clear that the Warriors need size. They have the 19th pick in the 2023 draft, which most experts consider to be one of the deepest in a while. The obvious big man that the Warriors can get with their 19th pick is Dereck Lively, the freshman from Duke, but considering how deep this draft class is, the Warriors may just opt for "best-player available", hoping that their 19th pick can turn into a potential star. Stay tuned for a series of articles that goes more in-depth about the 2023 draft for the Warriors. Finally, the role players who are free agents, particularly Donte Divencenzo and JaMychal Green. If the Warriors don't make any moves that sheds salary, then the Warriors will only have the veteran's minimum to work with. This means Divencenzo will likely be gone, since he's surely seeking more than the player option of roughly 5 million dollars next year. As for JMG, he's probably gone as well, but it's not because the Warriors can't afford him, but rather, it's because the Warriors probably don't need him next year.
With all that being said, the Warriors have a plethora of decisions to make, concerning player and front office personnel. It's truly not a hyperbole to say that this offseason is the most important offseason in franchise history, considering the crossroads of age and contracts that the Warriors will face. However, as fans, it will still be exiting to ultimately see what the Warriors front office does to give the Warriors the best chance to win the championship next year. After all, as long as Steph Curry is on this team, championships should always be the goal for the Warriors.
