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Golden State Warriors’ savings from Wiseman trade must go to future Hall of Famer

By Peter O'Keefe

Oct 23, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23, right) talks to center James Wiseman (33, left) during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23, right) talks to center James Wiseman (33, left) during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Golden State Warriors made a win-now move by acquiring Gary Payton II for James Wiseman at the NBA trade deadline last week, but there was another wrinkle to the deal that shouldn’t go under the radar.

One of the major issues with Wiseman’s presence on the roster was how much he was costing ownership for a player adding little in on-court contributions. In fact, many fans were left frustrated during the offseason when Payton was initially let go over financial reasons that could have been prevented if not for Wiseman.

The savings that the Golden State Warriors made from the James Wiseman trade should go directly to a new deal for Draymond Green if need be.

Trading Wiseman for picks would have saved the Warriors $131 million in total salary plus luxury tax. While bringing back Payton prevents that, they have still saved a substantial amount of money. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Golden State will save about $7 million this season, and $30 million next season, as part of the deal.

Draymond Green is the Golden State Warriors’ biggest question mark this offseason. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Draymond Green is the Golden State Warriors’ biggest question mark this offseason. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

After failing to agree to an extension during the offseason, four-time champion and future Hall of Famer Draymond Green can opt out of his $25.8 million player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent. Green’s high-level of play this season has proven the Warriors can ill-afford to lose their former Defensive Player of the Year.

The savings from the Wiseman-Payton trade should at least give Golden State a little more wiggle room in negotiations with Green should he opt out. While the trade is the front office’s way of backing in the veteran core, losing Green would be an undoubted changing of eras for the reigning champions.

Not only is Green still one of the Warriors best players, and their irrefutable leader defensively, but he’s also a franchise great. Seeing him in a different jersey would be hard to reconcile for fans, especially given that Joe Lacob was willing to pay big to extend Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins.

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Green might opt in anyway and it’s all a moot point, but the trade should at least increase some optimism that the front office and ownership are willing to meet his demands should it come to that.

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