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‘We Believe’ teammates think opposition owners are “dry hating” on Golden State Warriors tax bill

By Peter O'Keefe

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber of the Golden State Warriors raise the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber of the Golden State Warriors raise the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Former Golden State Warriors’ teammates Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson have backed the NBA’s current salary cap rules ahead of potential change with the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement.

It was recently reported the NBA would push to implement a hard cap that prevented teams like the Warriors from building an exorbitant luxury tax bill. After the recent extensions of Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins, Golden State’s bill could exceed $500 million next season.

‘We Believe’ teammates Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson have rejected the NBA’s new hard cap idea, one that would greatly impact the Golden State Warriors.

The duo etched themselves into franchise history as part of the 2007 ‘We Believe’ team that took down the first-seed Dallas Mavericks in the first-round of the playoffs. Barnes returned in 2017 and proved an invaluable veteran presence in the Warriors championship-winning playoff run.

Speaking on an episode of Showtime Basketball, Barnes and Jackson joined a growing chorus of opposition to the NBA’s plan. Jackson, a 14-year veteran and 2003 championship winner with the San Antonio Spurs, began with a sarcastic laugh to the idea before suggesting it was simply a ploy to bring down the reigning champions.

"“Y’all mad Golden State are running up championships on y’all. Ya’ll trying to break that s**t up…Find a way to get your team in that position where you are winning and making money and can go against the tax…One of the owners starts dry hating and he found another owner who was mad, then they start dry hating together and that’s how all this s**t came about.”"

Barnes concurred with Jackson’s sentiment, and just as concerningly, stated the league could be headed to another lockout if the league and players association dig in to their respective positions on the debate.

"“I’m pro players getting their money. If you can go in the luxury tax and not sweat it, then go into the luxury tax and not sweat it…I know if they put this hard cap on, this could possibly push the NBA into another lockout because you know the NBPA is not going to go for that”, Barnes said."

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The current seven-year collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2023-24 season, with that and a new media rights deal expected to bring a sharp spike to the ever-increasing salary cap.

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