Morning Mailbag: Why Warriors could pass on Stephen Curry’s max extension
Warriors guard Stephen Curry is eligible to sign an extension worth up to $155.7 million over three years that would start in the 2022-23 season. That's a lot of money for a player nearing the end of his prime.
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Q: Do the Warriors have enough bodies to guard LeBron James and Luka Doncic? I see a huge weakness on the team when it comes to guarding the larger play-makers in the league: Eric Paschall (too slow), Andrew Wiggins (too skinny), Kent Bazemore (too short), Draymond Green (too injured). Who do you see getting the initial responsibility with guarding LeBron? Thanks for your time. — Jason, Tracy.
Defending the likes of James and Doncic would have been Klay Thompson’s job, but with Thompson expected to miss the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon, the Warriors will have to rely on scheme more than individual brilliance. However, both James and Doncic (and Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, while we’re at it) are among the best isolation scorers in the NBA and are hard to scheme against as they hunt one-on-one matchups. Wiggins should be the player who takes that responsibility early in games. He’s spent the summer adding muscle, and Steve Kerr has praised his strength and commitment to defense. Kelly Oubre Jr. has improved defensively over his career, and the Warriors will need him to take another leap this season.
Q: In regards to the 14-man roster talk, why would the Warriors risk losing Mychal Mulder by waiving him? Couldn’t they sign him and then cut him or Alen Smailagic later if they use the DPE? Costs them some money, but it’s only a minimum salary, right? — Bud.
Golden State has considered carrying 14 players on the roster — one short of the league maximum — in order to save money. While it’s only a minimum salary, that salary results in an amplified luxury tax bill, and ownership’s compromise after trading for Oubre could have been to shave some of that bill by rostering only 14 players. However, the NBA plans to disburse $30 million to each of its teams to help close the gap from last season’s league-wide loss in revenue. That, and the fact that the Warriors have lost two players already due to positive coronavirus tests, could motivate them to keep as many players as possible.
[Morning Mailbag: Did the Warriors get enough in the D’Angelo Russell trade?]
Q: With Stephen Curry having only two years left on his deal and at the end of his prime, he is eligible for the “super max.” Do the Warriors sign him to the Chris Paul-type extension? — Angel.
Making $43 million this season, Curry is eligible to sign an extension worth up to $155.7 million over three years that would start in the 2022-23 season. If he signs to the maximum amount, Curry would be getting paid $48 million when he’s 34, $51.9 million when he’s 35 and $55.8 million when he’s 36. That’s a lot of money for a player nearing the end of his prime, but the front office will do what it takes to keep Curry in a Warriors uniform. But with $100 million already owed to Thompson, Green and Wiggins the year Curry’s extension would kick in, adding to that would tie up any flexibility the Warriors would have to build around an aging core. Curry forgoing an extension and becoming a free agent in 2022 — then re-signing with Bird Rights — could provide the Warriors a path to create enough space to sign Bradley Beal or James Harden that summer. If he signs a one-year extension and becomes a free agent in 2023, the Warriors could have up to $36 million to spend on a free-agency class that could include James, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. Conversations are ongoing between Curry and the Warriors, and these are the things they are talking about.