No real rest for the defending champs. Fresh off winning the franchise’s first NBA title in 40 years, the Golden State Warriors have one pretty big decision to make in the coming days.
They have to find a way to shed David Lee’s $15.5 million salary for the 2015-16 season from their salary cap. Immediately after Golden State defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals last week, it was reported that the two sides would work together to find the best possible fit for the two-time All-Star.
Doing the math, Grantland’s Zach Lowe came to the conclusion that it would cost Golden State about $50 million to keep Lee on the roster for next season. Of course, that number takes into account the team going over the $100 million luxury tax threshold and re-signing Draymond Green to a max deal, both of which seem to be near guarantees right now.
Other teams around the NBA know what pickle the Warriors are in right here, and they are looking to cash in big time. According to Lowe, Golden State is willing to give up its first-round pick (30th overall) to sweeten the pot in any potential Lee deal. However, the team has no intention of going beyond that for pure salary cap relief. Complicating things here is the fact that other teams will likely want more than just the 30th pick in any potential salary dump.
Further complicating things, and potentially to the Warriors advantage, their owners have some of the deepest pockets in the Association.
When asked whether the team was committed to going into the tax this summer, co-owner Joe Lacob had this to say in February:
“Committed or not committed, I don’t think we have any other choice. Numbers would dictate–anyone can look at them–that we’re very likely in the luxury tax and very likely very substantially, next year.”
No matter what happens with Lee, Golden State will be in the tax should it re-sign Green. That much is certain. The larger question here is how deep into the luxury tax the team is willing to go. If they are not willing to send multiple draft picks for a team to pick up Lee’s contract, would the Warriors take that $50 million hit? If it were almost any other team but the Warriors, this probably wouldn’t even be a question. But as we have seen, their ownership group is unlike any in the Association.
The decision would then be between taking a huge tax hit or yielding multiple picks to move Lee. Golden State could also buy-out Lee, which would save it some money under the tax. It really a cat-and-mouse game between the Warriors and other interested parties.
The more probable outcome leading up to the draft on Thursday would be the Warriors to trade Lee and the 30th pick for a cheaper contract, which would enable the team to save some money next year. That might also be the best possible outcome for a team looking to add Lee’s talents and a valuable pick in a deep draft class.
H/t to Pro Basketball Talk for some of the information in this article.
Photo: USA Today Sports