Golden State Warriors could lose Bob Myers to Western Conference rival

Bob Myers’ future with the Golden State Warriors has been a talking point since it was confirmed his current contract expires at the end of the season. The President of Basketball Operations has been a key architect to everything the franchise has built over the last decade, but that could be soon coming to an end.

The 47-year-old has been with the Warriors since 2011, orchestrating all the key moves that’s ultimately led to four championships in the last eight seasons, and for him personally, two NBA Executive of the Year awards.

Bob Myers will be the hottest front office asset available in the league if he does indeed choose to leave the Golden State Warriors.

Widely acknowledged as one of the best general manager’s in the NBA, Myers’ contract could become a sticking point according to The Athletics’ Anthony Slater.

"“Joe Lacob told The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami in early January that Myers is already “top three among general managers” in pay. That’s where a disagreement clearly lies. According to several people with ballpark knowledge of executive salaries around the league, Myers falls somewhere in the range of either sixth, seventh or eighth on the base salary totem pole.”"

From the outside, it would appear odd that Lacob is willing to spend an exorbitant amount on the roster without doubling down and paying the best man available to make those decisions. But as Slater describes in his report, the issue may stem much further than the monetary aspect.

Depending on the outcome of what’s been a disappointing season to date, perhaps Lacob may want a new voice and mind in the decision-making room of which he’s becoming more and more present. However, the more likely prospect would Myers leaving for another opportunity, not necessarily for the financial reasons, but more so for the desire of a fresh challenge and the plaudits that could subsequently come from that.

It certainly doesn’t have to be in a basketball-related position, but if it is, Myers will have no shortage of suitors looking for a championship-level general manager. According to Slater, one of those teams may be the Warriors’ pacific rival in the Los Angeles Clippers.

"“According to sources close to the situation, Washington, Phoenix, and New York are all worth monitoring as possibilities. Meanwhile, the recent focus in front office circles, where Myers’ situation has become a hot topic, is on the Clippers.”"

Losing Myers would be one thing, but it would be worsened ten-fold if he were to go to a direct rival who should be in genuine contention over the next few years. The Clippers are in a somewhat similar position to the Warriors, at least in terms of an owner willing to spend big in pursuit of a championship.

It’s appearing as if the Warriors sit just as precariously off the floor than their 23-24 record on it. For now, Myers has a big fortnight ahead as he looks to navigate Golden State’s roster through the February 9 trade deadline.