The Golden State Warriors are mired in a tough contractual situation, already boasting one of the highest payrolls in the league and bound for more once Klay Thompson (free agent in 2019) and Draymond Green (2020) hit the free agent market.

General manager Bob Myers is confident a deal can be worked out with both players, noting their main interest is to keep this winning core together, rather than earning as much as possible.

“I’ll tell you this, Klay’s not driven monetarily. I think he wants to be paid fairly,” said Myers, according to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic. “I think Draymond’s the same way. And obviously Kevin, he’s shown it, that he doesn’t have to have every last penny. … I feel like if we can create a place that gives them a chance to win a championship, get paid well, enjoy going to work every day — and people think an NBA player loves going to work every day. That’s not true; maybe it should be, but it isn’t. If we can create a place where players enjoy it, the hope is they want to continue to do that.”

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While other teams have shot for the highest bid to garner free agents, perhaps offering more than they should, the Warriors have banked on their culture and their repeated success to reel in free agents, who have often signed for less than their actual free agency value.

Many working class people would take a dollar or two less per hour or shave a few thousand off their annual salary in order to have a more enjoyable experience at work. The same is true for Warriors players, who still have a repetitive experience of going to practice, watching film, hitting the weights, getting examined by team doctors, and off-the-court activities throughout the season.

Myers is banking in a fun-loving, loose atmosphere that revolves around winning, and hoping this will be more than sufficient for two home-grown products who have seen the rise of the organization during the past few seasons.