Everyone wants to know when the Golden State Warriors reign over the NBA will come to an end. Well, it could be as soon as next offseason.
The Golden State Warriors will soon enough have to choose between Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, assuming they both demand a max contract. Which will they choose?
Well, to be honest, it won’t matter if they win the 2019 NBA Finals. It seems highly unlikely that any star leaves during the 2019 free agency period if the team three-peats like they’re projected to.
There have been rumbling from uncredible media that the Warriors are preferring Klay Thompson over Kevin Durant, and that their ensuing decision would allow a path for Durant to sign with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
It’s not a complete myth. But, if everyone takes a pay cut, similar to the one Durant took this season, then the team can keep the core together. However, if the Warriors lose during the 2019 postseason and see their team-first mentality abandoned, then this dynasty could come to an end rather quickly and abruptly.
Don’t get me wrong, they’d still be a top Western Conference team. With Curry at 31, Klay at 29, and Draymond Green at 29, they’d be hard-pressed to continue their all-out dominance. To make matters worse, Green will be looking at a new or extended contract following the 2019-2020 season.
More from Blue Man Hoop
- 3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunion
- Golden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the Olympics
- 7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadline
- Golden State Warriors villain pours on more pain to end USA’s World Cup
- Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry continues philanthropic efforts off the court
The Warriors will have to be very keen on how they spend their money. Who they see the long-term potential in with their core four and Cousins all around the same age range will be intriguing.
The Golden State Warriors easily have enough revenue to pay them all, but for the NBA’s sake, the salary cap will limit them to just a few superstars eventually. With Curry’s ginormous contract taking up a boatload of the cap space, only so much will be left for Durant, Thompson and Green to split.
All three, especially Durant and Thompson, proved their worth last season.
Klay averaged 20 points per game and drained 3.1 threes per game. Along with playing his typical elite defense, he showcased exactly why he should be paid.
Then again, it’s hard to argue against signing an unstoppable force like Kevin Durant to a max.
Durant averaged 26.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists. A dynamic shooter, defender and legitimately unstoppable offensively, it seems difficult to let a player of his level walk. However, if they win the 2019 Finals, there’s zero chance the team splits and relinquishes the chance of a united four-peat.
While past postseasons might’ve been stressful for Golden State, if they don’t succeed in 2019, the entire team will be feeling an unparalleled amount of pressure to keep the core together.