Bang for Buck: Golden State Warriors may have hit the jackpot

Over the past few seasons, much has been made of the Golden State Warriors incredible payroll, including the heavy luxury tax burden placed on Joe Lacob.

Despite missing the playoffs last season, the Warriors had the highest payroll in the league, a category they’ll top again leading into this season.

The Golden State Warriors have struck gold over the last few years in the draft, and hopefully their luck continues as the Big 3 age.

It’s unsurprising given the contracts handed to longtime stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, along with the contract taken on when they traded D’Angelo Russell for Andrew Wiggins.

Despite having these hefty contracts, it seems Bob Myers has done a good job in compiling a deep and talented roster. This includes two players who may enter the discussion for the most undervalued, most team-friendly contracts in the league.

Across the Warriors opening two preseason games, there’s been no doubt the two most impressive players have been Jordan Poole and Otto Porter Jr.

While admittedly it’s just two preseason games, the third-year man has put up 47 points in around 45 minutes of action, shooting over 50 percent from the field and over 40 percent from three.

The latter, riddled by injury and fitness concerns over the last couple of seasons, has hit the ground running by compiling 34 points and 13 rebounds in 36 minutes, including 8-for-13 from beyond the arc.

The offensive output has been a welcome sign for a team that was largely dependant on Stephen Curry last season. To put the icing on the cake, it’s even more incredible given that kind of production is coming from two players making a combined $4.6 million.

Poole remains on his rookie deal, however, the front office must be given credit for picking up his third-year team option at a time when, less than 12 months ago, many fans saw a player unlikely to make it at NBA level.

Porter Jr. was always going to be a value pick-up should he be fit and healthy. The question remains on whether he can do that across a full season, but nevertheless Warriors fans should be incredibly excited given the display he’s shown so far.

As fun and exciting as it is, let’s not shy away from the fact that the Warriors need this. With Thompson still sidelined and Green a defensive and playmaking specialist at this point in his career, the Dubs needed players to step up to lighten the load off Curry.

Who knows, with the extra spacing available, we may see an even better season from the two-time MVP.