Just when the draft selections made sense, the Golden State Warriors’ latest move has fans pulling their hair out. That’s because many believe the Dubs have walked themselves into a major financial roadblock by re-signing one of their veteran players. Here’s what has happened in the last few hours.
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ESPN Insider Shams Charania confirmed that forward Draymond Green officially declined his $27.7 million player option to enter unrestricted free agency. According to league sources, this was designed to grant Golden State the necessary financial flexibility to pursue rumors of acquiring LeBron James (via the non-taxpayer mid-level exception) and Anthony Davis (via trade) to create a future Hall of Fame “Big 4” alongside Stephen Curry.
However, the front office appears to have a drastically different pivot in mind… Instead of a Hollywood ending, agent Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management confirmed to Charania that Porzingis, a free agent, has agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract (with a player option in the second year) to return to the Warriors through the 2027-28 season.
This deal, signed using Bird rights, allows the Warriors to exceed the cap but severely complicates the use of the full $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception and risks hard-capping them at the first apron (approx. $209 million) if they use it, per league rules, as Charania confirmed.
The savings Green gave them to chase star power and depth now went (in part) to Porzingis. While the Unicorn has been effective alongside Curry when healthy, POTS/injuries have severely limited his availability (he played a total of 32 games last season). Despite all that, fans would’ve accepted that he’s staying in the Bay, but many can’t reconcile that he’s a $20 million player…
Free agent center Kristaps Porzingis has agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract extension to return to the Golden State Warriors through 2027-28, with a player option in the second season, agent Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management tells ESPN.
Because this hefty new contract pushes the Warriors closer to or into luxury tax territory and near the first apron once the roster is filled (including Green’s anticipated re-signing), the rumored discussions surrounding James and Davis are now much more difficult mathematically.
The Akron Hammer would likely be limited to far less than the full $15 million exception, given that the Warriors are also reportedly pursuing Davis ($58 million salary) via a Butler trade, which would require staying under tight hard-cap limits. And that fantasy has made Dub Nation madder…
Warriors fans explode as LeBron James-Steph Curry dream crumbles before their eyes
The abrupt shift from chasing generational superstars to locking up Kristaps Porzingis for an expensive contract gave Warriors fans whiplash. The sheer impact of the day’s breaking news cycle was perfectly summarized by a fan tracking Shams Charania’s contrasting reports.
“Shams this morning: ‘Steph, LeBron, AD, and Draymond are forming a HOF Big 4 in Golden State’… Shams now: “Kristaps Porzingis.”
The realization that Draymond Green‘s gamble might’ve been entirely in vain immediately made the team the laughingstock. Fans went from realizing Dray’s sacrifice was wasted, like, “Draymond opt out for this s*** 😭,” to checking if the Warriors received the memo from his decision… “He opt out so bron can sign for the mle.”
Interestingly, though, insider Brian Windhorst has reaffirmed the Warriors’ interest in snatching James away from the Purple and Gold only hours ago.
“The focus right now is: Can they get LeBron James away from the Lakers?” Windhorst said on Get Up. “That’s something they’re going to try and get done today.”
However, Dub Nation wasn’t over the Porzingis bit yet. The effect was evident when fans relied on humor to cope with the collapse of Golden State’s ambitious summer plans. One fan completely mocked the front office, posting, “LMFAOOOOOOO DUBS FC THOUGHT THEY WERE GETTING BRON AND AD AND THEY RESIGNED TINGIS.”
LMFAOOOOOOO DUBS FC THOUGHT THEY WERE GETTING BRON AND AD AND THEY RESIGNED TINGIS
It’s not that fans think Porzingis is bad. But fans have yet to see how the 7-foot-3 center fits into the championship puzzle if elite star power isn’t arriving with him.
“He not even gon help much they Need bron and ad,” a netizen wrote.
The weekend had been a whirlwind for most onlookers when speculation about James in a Bay Area uniform picked up steam. However, their financial commitment to the big man instead feels like a definitive end to that dream, as one user bluntly put it.
“So it seems like LeBron is not going to Golden State,” a fan posted.
While a few optimists are holding out hope by manifesting, “BRON JOINING FOR VET MIN, WE GOOD,” the mathematical reality makes it look impossible.
The rival fanbases also didn’t waste time swooping in with hopes that James would pivot from the Bay to South Beach. “’The deal prohibits Golden State from using the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception.’ LeBron to Miami dream is still alive.”
With access to the mid-level exception now limited or complicating roster construction, the Warriors’ dreams of a legendary Big 4 have taken a major hit, replaced by a $40 million commitment that has left the fanbase entirely divided.