Unlike their previous two seasons, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly likely to only carry 14 players in their roster this upcoming season, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
The Warriors almost used this very strategy last season, but opted to sign JaVale McGee to the last available roster spot — signing him to the veteran's minimum, but paying more than three times his contract's worth, already in the repeater luxury tax.
The bubbling tax problems are bound to be an issue once again for the two-time defending champions, having recently signed Kevin Durant to a two-year, $61.5 million deal — who isn't leaving any money behind this time around after giving the Warriors a $10 million discount in 2017.
Leaving a roster spot open not only saves additional tax money from being spent, but also opens the possibility for a quick mid-season add without the need to waive a player before the contract becomes guaranteed — also allowing their two-way players to get some run when a fill-in for injury purposes is needed.
Golden State will have to closely watch their tax situation from getting out of control, already having a balancing act by staggering Durant's contract, and expecting to dole out deals to Klay Thompson next offseason and to Draymond Green in 2020, hoping to keep this winning core together.
A potential threepeat comes at a cost, and the Warriors ownership has been willing to cash those checks so far, but the front office will have to keep a close eye on quality, especially when it comes to their mid-level exception, as Nick Young (their mid-level choice for last season) is unlikely to return this season.
One candidate for that mid-level exception is shooting guard Jamal Crawford, who was one of the finalists for that spot last season, but opted to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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