Can the Warriors Afford Klay Thompson?
A frustrated Laker’s fan does some quick inductive reasoning to argue the LA Laker’s chances of landing a new superstar in Klay Thompson. There’s no way the Golden State Warrior’s are keeping together 4 superstar players.
Who deserves a max deal? Presumably the Warriors big 4 of Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Maybe even Iggie for all the hard work he does.
Here’s why:
- Draymond Green PF, Rank 2nd in NBA behind AD
- Kevin Durant SF, Ranked 2nd behind Lebron James
- Steph Curry PG, Ranked 1st (arguably second considering Russ)
- Klay Thompson SG, Ranked 2nd behind James Harden
There’s no clear formula for who deserves max money, but you could make the argument that being in the Top 3 of your position earns you the right to be in the conversation.
Here’s the Golden State Warriors current salary committments through 2020:
NBA Salary Cap 2017 — $102M
Golden State Warriors 2017 Salary — $101,342,279
Big 4 — $74.4M
* KD 2017 — $26.54M
* Steph — $12.1M
* Draymond — $16.4M
* Klay — $17.8M
Rest of Team: $27M
NBA 2018 Salary Cap — $108M*
Golden State Warriors 2018 Salary — $68M
Big 4 — $61.9M
* KD — $27.7M
* Steph — New Deal
* Draymond — $16.4M
* Klay — $17.8M
Rest of Team: $8M
Leaves $40M to build a team with
NBA 2019 Salary Cap — $109M*
Golden State Warriors 2019 Salary — $42M
Big 4 — $36.46M
* KD — New Deal
* Steph — New Deal
* Draymond — $17.47
* Klay — $18.99
Rest of Team: $5.54M
Left to Build Team: $72.54M
2020 Salary Cap — $114M*
Golden State Warriors 2020 Salary — $24M
Big 4 — $18.539
* KD — New Deal
* Steph — New Deal
* Draymond — $18.539
* Klay — New Deal
Rest of Team: $5M
Left To Build Team — $95M
- Draymond’s current contract has him locked up until 2020.
- KD is on a two year deal, so he becomes a free agent in 2019.
- Steph is a free agent at the end of this season. He’s projected to make around $12M this year.
- Klay becomes a free agent in 2020. He’s currently getting paid at a bargain of around $17.8MM/year.
It doesn’t add up. If current contracts for marquee players are any indication, these guys all “deserve” to be making upwards of $25M/year.
Plus, based on the NBA’s updated CBA, Steph Curry is considered to be the first player to crossover into $200MM contract territory: with projected NBA earnings of $36M/year.
So, either they need to win this year, or figure a way to blow this team up and stay competitive.
Scenario 1
Let’s say the Warrior’s DO win this year. Everyone’s going to be feeling good, so “let’s do it again.”
- KD re-ups for 2 more years, paying him $30M+/year
- Steph signs a long term deal, paying him $36M/year
- Draymond doesn’t renegotiate — takes $16.4/M for 2018
- Klay doesn’t renegotiate — takes $17.8M for 2018
The team has $100.2M due to their Big 4. That leaves about $8 million leftover to build a team with to take it back to NBA Finals… or about 8% of their total overall salary cap for 2018.
In 2017, the Warrior’s are paying out about 26% of their total overall salary to their group of role players (players not named KD, Klay, Steph, or Draymond).
Important pieces like Iggie + Shaun Livingston are also free agents. Do you bring them back?
Ehh. I can’t see this happening. My guess is they figure out who their core is, and start making some trades.
Scenario 2
In 2018, the Warrior’s don’t win, and decide they need to figure out a way to blow this team up.
You let KD walk, and you’re a mad man. Steph Curry and you’re equally as crazy.
That leaves Draymond or Klay.
So if you’re Bob Myers, you’ve got to ask yourself, what do they bring you?
Scoring, defense.
What Draymond Brings to the Table
Defense. A ball handling big. One hell of a loud mouth.
I’m not minimizing the complicated dynamics of these guys’ games, but when it boils down to it, this is what they offer. And if I’m choosing, I’m choosing the loud mouth every time.
Toughness is something today’s NBA just needs to bring back to the game.
Which means.
Sorry Klay.
Welcome to La La Land!
TL
