If The Warriors Get Their Wish Their Salary For Next Year Will Be More Than The GDP Of 6 Countries

(Source) – Re-signing Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson in free agency this summer could make the Golden State Warriors the most expensive team in NBA history.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (h/t ESPN colleagues Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst), giving Durant (five years, $221 million) and Thompson (five years, $190 million) full max contracts while also bringing back Kevon Looney would put Golden State’s payroll at more than $375 million, a figure that includes $200 million-plus in luxury taxes.

Although it’s unclear what Durant will do in free agency, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium recently reported that a “quick agreement” is expected to be reached should the team offer Thompson the full max.

If Durant and Thompson each max out with Golden State, the Warriors would have three contracts of $190 million-plus on their books. Two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry signed a five-year, $201 million extension back in June 2017.

Of note, three-time All-Star Draymond Green could be in line for a massive extension as well in the not too distant future, as he is scheduled to become a free agent following the 2019-20 campaign.

Per Shelburne and Windhorst, Golden State has been the highest-earning team in the league in recent years, generating more than $400 million in annual revenue. The team will also be moving across the bay and into the Chase Center in San Francisco, which is expected to provide more than $200 million in new revenue.

You think it’s cheap to build a dynasty in the NBA? Holy shit. If the Warriors get their wish and are able to reach agreements with Durant/Klay/Looney and have a team salary of $375M, according to this list that would be the 181st highest GDP in the world. If you use that as your source, that means the Warriors would be paying this roster more than 6 other countries. I’m not trying to get into an economics debate or any of that, but I found that to be a pretty interesting perspective in terms of how much fucking money GS will be dumping into a roster that 100% will not be the title favorites next year. Not with Durant out a year and then Klay not back until what, March if everything goes perfect?

It sure sounds like their owner gives two shits about that hefty price tag too

“We can do whatever we want (financially),” Warriors owner Joe Lacob told The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami in February. “And you should expect that that’s not going to be a reason this team…doesn’t stay great going forward. We have the capital to pay our players what they deserve. And we will.”

And I don’t blame him. They just moved into their new arena, they have no problem making money, if you have to spend in order to stay title contenders and remain relevant then that’s what you would want your owner to do. It’s a lot easier to stomach when you’re going this as the Warriors as opposed to someone like CHA who is letting the best player in their franchise’s history walk because MJ doesn’t want to be a taxpayer team for a squad that has no shot at being competitive (which is the right decision). I can’t even imagine what their total comes to once Draymond is eligble to get paid, because it’ll probably cost close to a max to keep him given what players are offered these days. There’s a legit possibility that one day the Warriors are paying a $1B salary when you include tax penalties. That’s insane.

But if they continue to win titles? That’ll be the easiest check Joe Lacob ever writes.