Andrew Wiggins has been a revelation for the Golden State Warriors this season. His success has been a testament to the internal development and strong team culture that they've built over the past decade in the Stephen Curry era.
Wiggins has turned himself into an All-Star, making good on the potential he's had even before he was selected first overall in 2014 NBA Draft. He's maintained his scoring production while turning up his efficiency from mediocre to elite, shooting a superb 48.1% from the field for a perimeter player and 41.4% from the three-point line, both career highs.
However, the harsh reality is that the Golden State Warriors may not be able to pay him when the time comes. They already have massive deals in place for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The team is also reportedly eyeing an $80 million extension for promising guard Jordan Poole.
Couple that with Draymond Green's own deal worth north of $50 million over the next two seasons and their three recent first-round picks in James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody totaling to about $20 million in salary. That leaves little wiggle room to operate, even for a team willing to spend like no team in history like owner Joe Lacob and the Golden State Warriors have.
That reportedly may leave Andrew Wiggins as the odd man out, according to the latest report from San Francisco Chronicle's Connor Letourneau:
Golden State’s current base payroll of $176 million is the highest in NBA history. By declining to use their $5.9 million taxpayer mid-level exception last summer, the Warriors showed that they intend to keep down costs when possible.
All this points to an inescapable reality: Wiggins’ days in San Francisco might be numbered. Few doubt that he deserves a second max contract, but that could be too burdensome an expense for a team with so many other financial obligations.
Andrew Wiggins is on the last two years of the five-year max contract he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves back in 2017. He's making $31.6 million this season and $33.6 million the next, which would put the Warriors well over the luxury tax threshold that they've already crossed.
If the Warriors extend Poole to $20 million annually, which would kick in for the 2023-24 season, there wouldn't be space for Wiggins without draconian penalties hurting Golden State. That, in all likelihood, could be reason to explore trade options this offseason. With Andrew Wiggins' value at its highest, Bob Myers could once again flip a player of value for more assets and keep the wheel turning in the Bay.
Via Letourneau:
If the Warriors decide that Wiggins is the odd man out, Myers might need to start shopping him to other teams as soon as this offseason. Letting Wiggins leave for nothing in summer 2023 after all he has done to shed an unenviable reputation would be a worst-case scenario.
Of course, exorbitant payrolls are easier to stomach when your team is fresh off an NBA championship. How far the Warriors go this postseason could go a long way in determining their decisions going forward. If Andrew Wiggins helps Stephen Curry and Co. claim their fourth championship in the last eight seasons, perhaps the financial implications of keeping him can be thrown out the window.
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