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Big 3 will have to sacrifice for Warriors to remain competitive

By Nathan Beighle

Jun 13, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and forward Draymond Green (23) celebrate during the first half in game five of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and forward Draymond Green (23) celebrate during the first half in game five of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The next several months will be interesting for the Golden State Warriors. Coming off an NBA Championship, their surplus of talent is going to lead them into some difficult contract negotiations.

Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are all going to have extensions coming up in the near future and may command either a max-value contract or something in that ballpark.

The Golden State Warriors are looking to marry an aging Big 3 with a youth movement, and that’s going to be easier said than done.

Green is looking for a max extension, and it’s yet to be put on the table. It doesn’t sound like that’ll be an option for the four-time All-Star forward either, but it’s clear that two-time MVP Stephen Curry wants the Big 3 to stick together at any cost.

The cost could be the future for general manager Bob Myers and owner Joe Lacob though as keeping the three that have spearheaded the dynasty together could risk the leaving of Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins.

At that point, all three former All-Stars would be in the mid or back half of their 30s as well. The injury history between all three (especially Thompson and Green) could be brutal for the regular seasons and even into the playoffs.

Even regressing in their game as they age would be something to consider as well. Balancing the next year is going to be easier said than done. Poole will be the most time-sensitive extension as he’s set to be a free agent next offseason.

Wiggins and Poole could both leave after this season. Green and Thompson could leave after the following season, although it seems all parties will be here for the team’s chance to repeat as NBA Champions.

If the Warriors are going to be able to keep their core together, they’ll need several players to take pay cuts. It would be a shame for them not to be able to bring their two generations together for the long-term future.

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It looks like it might start and potentially end with Green, and it’ll be drastically more clear in the coming months.

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