NBA Free Agency is here, and four-time NBA champion Draymond Green finally gave some clarity on his future. Over the past few weeks, there have been major rumors about his next move, with many reports claiming that Green is considering a tenure outside the Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors. However, all such reports were laid to rest just hours after free agency officially started. Green is staying with the Warriors for another four years.
The former Defensive Player of the Year signed a four-year extension with a lower salary. Interestingly, his pay cut might have been a result of the absurd amount of luxury taxes the team might have to pay.
The Golden State Warriors cut down on some luxury tax
After a season of heartbreaks and experimenting, it seems the Warriors are banking on their experience. After all, they have offered Green a huge contract extension.
Just hours after free agency officially started, sources revealed that Green and the Warriors have finally come to an agreement after weeks of negotiating. They have agreed on a four-year, $100 million deal with the Warriors.
He will earn $22.3 million in the first year of his contract, which was cut down from the initial $27.6 million player option declined by him. Interestingly, this will help the Warriors in minimizing their luxury taxes. According to CBS, the Warriors will save around $43 million from the $5 million salary cut taken by Draymond Green.
The team has some of the biggest names in basketball playing for them. Naturally, they have to pay a huge salary. The Stephen Curry-led side pay one of the highest luxury taxes in the league.
The projected tax line for next season is around $162 million. Weeks after their loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs, it was revealed that the Warriors will pay around $276 million as a repeat offender! Moreover, they would have to dish out around $492 million in overall payments.
The Green deal is a step in the right direction. Every saved million might do wonders for the Warriors and filling out their thin squad should be their next objective.
Stephen Curry leads the way in absurd salaries
It is no secret that Steph Curry is the most iconic player of the Golden State Warriors franchise and for this reason, he has the right to earn the highest salary on the team. Not only on the team, but the Baby-Faced Assassin is the highest earning player in the league.
Curry will earn around $51 million from salary alone during the 2023-24 season, according to ESPN. Not far enough is former Warriors superstar Kevin Durant, who will earn $47 million. Interestingly, the Phoenix Suns also face a worrying situation surrounding their luxury taxes. They have a stacked roster with names like Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, and for that reason, they might have to pay a huge tax.