The Golden State Warriors got their first taste of championship glory in 40 years when they took down LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. Now Warriors ownership is set to get a taste of luxury-tax life.
Reaffirming comments he's made in the past, Warriors general manager Bob Myers told reporters Thursday that owner Joe Lacob is aware of - and fine with - the fact that the Warriors will likely head into luxury-tax territory next season.
That assurance goes hand in hand with the expectation that the Warriors will match any offers for pending restricted free agent Draymond Green, likely in line for a maximum extension this summer after a breakout season that saw him finish runner-up for both Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player.
The 2015-16 salary cap is expected to come in around $67.1 million, with the tax line to be set around $81.6 million. The Warriors already have more than $77 million on the books for next season. Although they're expected to seek trades for former All-Star David Lee and his nearly $15.5-million salary, securing Green and filling out the rest of the roster would likely still take them into the tax.
In addition to Lee, who was replaced in the starting lineup by Green this season, other Warriors under contract for 2015-16 include: MVP Stephen Curry, fellow All-NBA guard Klay Thompson, Finals MVP Andre Iguodala, starting center Andrew Bogut, starting forward Harrison Barnes, reserve guard Shaun Livingston, and backup big man Festus Ezeli.
The Warriors also hold a $3.8-million player option for Marreese Speights, while Brandon Rush has a player option worth nearly $1.3 million.
Warriors general manager Bob Myers on roster: "When you have the success that we had, you’d like to keep it together – as much as possible."
— Rusty Simmons (@Rusty_SFChron) June 18, 2015
The Warriors arrived home in Oakland to a raucous reception Wednesday after clinching the franchise's fourth title in Cleveland on Tuesday, with a championship parade set to navigate the Bay Area on Friday.
"I can't believe it, still," Myers said Thursday of his team capturing the title.
