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The Golden State Warriors have been one of the most successful franchises of the NBA in the past decade, winning 3 championships throughout. After struggling with injuries last year, the Warriors have pivotal star Steph Curry back, surrounded by a supporting cast that can hopefully help them return to the playoffs. This article will have a look at who on the Warriors roster is paid the most. The list includes shooting guard Klay Thompson, who will miss out yet again this year through a new Achilles injury.
Ranking the Golden State Warriors highest-paid players ahead of the 2020-21 NBA Season
The Golden State Warriors have a side worthy of making the postseason this year as long as they avoid injuries that hampered their chances last season. Let's take a look at who will be relied upon to help them return to the top and thus are earning the most at the franchise.
#1 Stephen Curry
The Golden State Warriors talismanic point guard, Stephen Curry, will be their highest earner this season, bringing in $43 million. Curry has been one of the league's most exciting and talented players of the decade. The fact that he is starting the season fully-fit after a lengthy layoff period last season will be a blessing for the franchise.
Curry has been a superstar for the Golden State Warriors and is entering his 12th season with the side. Alongside his 3 championship rings, the 32-year-old earned back-to-back MVP awards in 2015 and 2016.
The rate at which he successfully shoots threes is unprecedented and holds the top 3 positions for most 3-pointers in a season. Returning from a season where he was able to play only 5 games for the Warriors, Stephen Curry will need to be at his best if his team are to return to the top of the West.
#2 Klay Thompson
Curry's 'Splash Brother' Klay Thompson sits second on our list, closely behind his fellow guard. He will be earning $35.3 million in the 2020-21 NBA season. Unfortunately for the Golden State Warriors, Thompson will be earning that money from the bench after he injured his Achilles in offseason training. As a result, the sharpshooter will miss his second-straight season.
Thompson has been one of the Warriors' most prolific scorers alongside Curry and is revered around the NBA.
Thompson has averaged 19 points throughout his career with the Golden State Warriors and shoots over 40% from beyond the arc. Combined with Curry, the two have built a reputation as an offensive nightmare for opposition. The Warriors franchise will hope the duo can rekindle the successful partnership when Thompson eventually returns.
#3 Andrew Wiggins
Arriving at the Golden State Warriors in a deal for D'Angelo Russell mid-way through last year, Andrew Wiggins will earn $29.5 million this season. Wiggins will be heavily relied upon given the injury to Thompson and is expected to be the Warriors' second source of points on offense.
With the Minnesota Timberwolves, where Wiggins has spent the duration of his young NBA career, the 25-year-old averaged 19.9 points. He has, thus far, avoided injury meaning he already has vast experience of the league playing over 80 games in each of his first four years.
Wiggins was voted Rookie of the Year in 2015 and will be hoping to continue this form alongside Curry, who is excellent at creating open shots for his teammates.
#4 Draymond Green
A player who doesn't always get the plaudits in a team that has relied so heavily on its scorers, Draymond Green will be the Warriors 4th highest-paid player this season. Green will earn $22.2 million from the franchise he has also spent his entire career with.
What Draymond Green does for the Golden State Warriors goes beyond the stats sheet. Green is one of the NBA's elite defenders and has built his game on frustrating opponents and hustling for every possession.
During the Warriors 2016-17 championship campaign, Green led the league with 2 steals per game. He is always the first to back up his teammates and truly leaves everything on the court every night.
Draymond Green is the Golden State Warriors' lynchpin on defense and a veteran leader for their younger stars. With Curry leading the offense, Kerr will be looking to Green to return to the caliber of performance he reached prior to last year.
#5 Kelly Oubre Jr.
The Golden State Warriors' best piece of business this offseason was picking up Kelly Oubre Jr. in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The versatile forward is the final player in our top 5, earning $14.3 million from his new franchise. Signing the 25-year-old was the perfect deal for the Warriors. Oubre Jr. is a two-way player with an expiring contract who can help to minimize the fallout of Klay Thompson's absence.
With the Phoenix Suns last year, Oubre Jr. averaged a career-high 18.7 points and 6 rebounds. He has consistently improved throughout the five years he has spent in the league. The Warriors will hope he can reach the 20 points a game mark to help support Curry's scoring.
Oubre Jr. is another menacing prospect on defense with active hands and a length that allows him to contest shots with effectiveness. Thanks to his growing confidence and ability, the forward is not shy of matching up against an opponent's star player.
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