The Golden State Warriors have had a largely quiet offseason, however they need to be thanking the basketball gods that they did not make an enormous mistake. Simply final summer time, the Warriors almost traded Kevon Looney, Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, plus picks to the LA Clippers for Paul George.
As a substitute, the Clippers rejected their provide, and George entered free company and signed a 5-year, $294 million contract. One 12 months later, the Warriors hanging out on George is wanting significantly better now.
The Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler midseason, and whereas they did not go far within the playoffs, not less than they do not have the NBA’s worst contract. The Sixers pays George a completely assured $54 million on common over the subsequent 4 years.
Regardless of that, he had simply had left knee surgical procedure in mid-July, and that might trigger him to overlook the beginning of subsequent season. That is after he missed 43 video games final season.
At 35 years previous and with accidents piling up, it is unlikely that he’ll ever be the identical participant he was earlier than becoming a member of the Sixers. That proves that the Warriors dodged a serious bullet.
The Warriors dodged a serious bullet by not buying and selling for Paul George
Golden State should be a rotation participant or two away from being a contender, however, fortunately, they did not burn any property within the deal for George. Whereas they gave up a first-round choose within the deal for Butler, they nonetheless have most of their draft picks going ahead.
That is necessary, as a result of it appears that evidently they’re protecting an eye fixed towards the long run with their finest participant, Steph Curry, being 37 years previous. Butler is not any spring hen, both, with him being 36 years previous.
They probably aren’t going to get a lot youthful both, with Jonathan Kuminga doubtlessly being traded this summer time and the doable additions of Al Horford and Damian Lillard. Even so, each strikes would enable them to keep up their flexibility versus the Philadelphia 76ers, who may very well be handcuffed by George’s ugly contract.
George has 4 years and $216 million remaining on his contract. And please imagine me after I say that he’ll do every little thing doable to gather on the rest of his deal, even when he is not the identical caliber of participant he was when he first signed it.
Mix that with Joel Embiid’s contract, which pays him $64 million on common over the subsequent 4 years, and the Sixers future appears bleak. That is with them doubtlessly having almost $120 million in useless wage going ahead.
Examine that to Golden State, who has been reluctant to increase Kuminga at $30 million yearly, and it appears that evidently they’re making much better choices. It additionally helps them hold their powder dry for a much bigger transfer down the highway that might assist them get again into rivalry.
