Fans lose it as Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins’ extensions significantly increase Warriors payroll - “Mark Cuban just fainted”, “Courtside seat at a Warriors game about to cost $500k”
The Golden State Warriors signed Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins to long-term deals in succession. Poole is finalizing a four-year $140 million rookie-scale extension, while Wiggins has agreed to a five-year $143 million extension, with a player option in the final year.
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Warriors projected salary and luxury tax bills would be up to $483 million. The Dubs are going all-out in their pursuit to keep the core of their 2022 championship-winning team together.
After Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins extensions, the projected salary and luxury tax for the Golden State Warriors in the 2023-2024 season, per @BobbyMarks42: $483 million.
It's been a trend for the Joe Lacob-owned franchise as they have managed to keep the trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green together for ten years, despite paying a hefty price for it.
Jordan Poole, 23, and Andrew Wiggins, 27, are crucial to their hopes of being a contending team for a longer window. It made it vital for the Golden State Warriors to tie them to long-term deals with Curry, Thompson and Green on the wrong side of their 30s.
The extensions put a question mark on Draymond Green's future with the Warriors. The former DPOY was recently fined for punching Poole during practice. He has a player option for $27.5 million next season. If he declines, he will be an unrestricted free agent.
Green aims to maximize his earnings in potentially the last long-term deal he could sign as an NBA player. Reports suggest he wants a max contract, but the Warriors are hesitant due to their increased salary and luxury tax bills.
Fans poked fun at him upon the news of Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins signing extensions while providing mixed reactions to the Warriors flexing their financial power.
One fan wrote on Twitter:
"Mark Cuban just fainted”
Another added:
"Courtside seat at a Warriors game about to cost $500k”
Here are some more reactions:
@wojespn @BobbyMarks42 Draymond punishment was seeing everyone get paid but him lmao
@wojespn @BobbyMarks42 DRAYMOND IS A LAKER 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/13jrMk71kV
Draymond watching Poole & Wiggins both get $100M+ contract extensions today https://t.co/5GwVMZpd2v
courtside seat at a warriors game about to cost $500k twitter.com/wojespn/status…
@wojespn @BobbyMarks42 https://t.co/GkyGqTLqwt
@wojespn @BobbyMarks42 Draymond rn https://t.co/ROpQ4RVhp0
@wojespn @BobbyMarks42 Now you’re saying to yourself, that’s a lot of dough, but let’s face it, everything is pricy in the Bay Area. Give the ownership group a ton of credit for forking over the moolah to keep competing, mainly because other owners cheap out. https://t.co/vMrgjMHfK0
@wojespn @BobbyMarks42 Draymond reacting to Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins getting extensions https://t.co/5tV9aBlJqK
@wojespn @BobbyMarks42 Wtf owner has a big bag https://t.co/4TJ1Bd1Pqr
@wojespn @BobbyMarks42 Draymond: Hello, Lebron ? https://t.co/A4SOuKfnmS
@wojespn @BobbyMarks42 It shouldn't be allowed for a team to go this much into luxury tax. It's just completely messing with competitive balance
This just in: The Warriors have told Draymond Green to "fuck off to L.A" while in contract negotiations with Wiggins and Poole. https://t.co/69iU4GOgbq
@wojespn @BobbyMarks42 Mark Cuban just fainted
Warriors go big but wise with Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins' extensions
The Golden State Warriors have created an excellent balance between staying competitive and building their roster for the future. They have stuck with their trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green while adding young talent to their roster.
The Warriors helped players like Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney develop in their roles. They rely on them to be key contributors to their championship aspirations for years to come.
Meanwhile, they also have budding players like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, James Wiseman and Patrick Baldwin Jr., who have tremendous upside. With Curry, Thompson and Green still around, the owners need to pay up to keep their roster competitive.
They proved their willingness to do that with Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole's extensions. Both players are reliable and crucial to the Dubs' long-term plans. The Warriors may have gone big but keeping these assets is a wise decision to maintain the balance they have between staying competitive and building for the future.