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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.
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:
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.
