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Evaluating the contract value of Golden State Warriors’ three lottery picks

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by Jonathan Kuminga #00 after Moody scored and was fouled on the shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 11, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by Jonathan Kuminga #00 after Moody scored and was fouled on the shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 11, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have picked up the fourth-year option of former number two overall pick James Wiseman, and the third-year options of 2021 lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.

The moves come as little surprise, even if the franchise waited till Monday — the last possible moment to solidify the short-term future of their brightest prospects. Wiseman will earn $12.12 million in the final year of his rookie deal, with Kuminga making $6.01 million and Moody $3.92 million in their third NBA season.

The Golden State Warriors have picked up the contract options on their three recent lottery picks, but there’s still a way to go in proving themselves as winning NBA players.

The form of the Warriors young players has been one of, if not the biggest question across their disappointing season to date. That’s especially true for Wiseman and Kuminga, both of who still appear very raw and well away from contributing to a successful postseason.

Kuminga has found himself out of Steve Kerr’s regular rotation, with the four-time championship winning coach acknowledging he can’t play both young players together. The duo joins Jordan Poole in holding the worst plus-minus on the Warriors through eight games.

Golden State Warriors’ James Wiseman and Jordan Poole. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ James Wiseman and Jordan Poole. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

While it may seem ironic given the Warriors’ exorbitant luxury tax bill, any high-level team simply needs a number of players to perform above their contract value. Golden State have got that with Poole over the last year, before he officially starts getting measured as a $30+ million player from next season.

Moody might be on the least money of the three lottery picks, yet he clearly identifies as the one most impactful to winning right now. He’s averaging 16.6 minutes per game while shooting 36.7% from three, and although his three-and-D prototype may not have the highest upside, it’s still a role that can garner upwards of $15 million per season in free agency.

The Warriors will be hoping that Kuminga can elevate towards the value of his contract which, at the very least, needs to be a contributing rotation player come playoff time. Then there’s Wiseman who, on current production, is getting overpaid. While there’s time for him to arrest years of setbacks, at some point there has to be some urgency as time lapses.

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Wiseman, and to a lesser extent Kuminga, are the two players Golden State would most likely deal before the expiration of their contract. That remains highly unlikely — there potential upside is still worth more than a realistic target on a comparative salary.  While they still strive to be All-Stars and even more in the future, the Warriors need them to at least be worth their value across the next 18 months.

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