After investing heavily for years to build a top-notch and competitive team, the Golden State Warriors have clearly taken a step back due to the new CBA regulations.
In the last seven seasons, the Warriors have topped the NBA in total payroll three times and finished second three times. The only instance they weren’t among the top two was in the 2019-20 season, when they made significant cost-cutting decisions after realizing their season was likely to be unsuccessful from the outset.
After four consecutive years of ranking among the top two in spending, the Golden State Warriors have adapted to the new penalties imposed on teams exceeding the first and second tax aprons. With Klay Thompson and Chris Paul leaving the team in free agency, the Warriors have set a hard cap at the first apron, which will place them outside the top 10 in payroll for the first time in five years.
In ESPN’s offseason survey released on Monday, “teams managing the new luxury tax aprons” was identified as the top offseason trend in a poll of 18 coaches, scouts, and executives from around the league. This trend garnered two-thirds of the total votes, with a Western Conference executive commenting to ESPN that “the league has shifted away from free spending.”
The new apron rules were clearly designed to curb the lavish spending habits of Golden State owner Joe Lacob and L.A. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. It’s worth noting that the Warriors were prepared to keep spending heavily, as evidenced by their pursuit of Paul George before free agency and their willingness to offer the 9-time All-Star a max contract extension.
However, due to the Clippers’ own goals to cut expenses, they were unwilling to absorb the salary needed to finalize a trade, leading George to opt out, become an unrestricted free agent, and sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
After that unsuccessful attempt with George, the Golden State Warriors have clearly shifted to managing their budget below the first and second apron. As an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN, “once you reach a certain threshold, it’s impossible to enhance your team, and you’re stuck.”
The Warriors aimed to avoid being restricted. They leveraged their new flexibility to sign key role players like De’Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson, and Buddy Hield to mid-tier contracts. While they no longer have flexibility in free agency, they now have the freedom to consider a variety of trades that teams above the aprons cannot.
It will be intriguing to observe how these rules affect the remainder of the Warriors’ offseason, particularly in relation to contract negotiations with 2021 lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, who are both eligible for extensions.
