Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

8 Golden State Warriors who might not be back next season

By Peter O'Keefe

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 15: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors high fives Draymond Green #23 against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on January 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 15: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors high fives Draymond Green #23 against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on January 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors’ guard Jordan Poole had a horror end to the season. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ guard Jordan Poole had a horror end to the season. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Contracted Players

Jordan Poole

A horror close to the season for Jordan Poole whose future is now in question despite having yet started a four-year, $128 million contract extension. In hindsight, the Warriors should have waited to get one more season of data before signing Poole to that kind of deal. If they had, how much could they have saved? Perhaps half of what they’re now committed to.

Golden State will now spend over $120 million next season on three guards, two of which can be inconsistent with their shooting and production. Something has to give, particularly when the franchise wants to retain key players like Draymond Green.

Poole is clearly the high salary Golden State can most afford to lose, but the issue is finding a taker for what is now one of the worst contracts in the league. The Warriors may have to push ahead with Poole for the moment, but that doesn’t mean that trade conversation won’t take place.

Jonathan Kuminga

A season of exciting improvement for Jonathan Kuminga that ultimately finished on a major disappointment. Having been a crucial part of the Warriors’ regular season, the second-year forward was sensationally axed from the rotation come playoff time.

A promising second-season for Jonathan Kuminga was deflated by his lack of opportunity during the Golden State Warriors’ postseason campaign. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
A promising second-season for Jonathan Kuminga was deflated by his lack of opportunity during the Golden State Warriors’ postseason campaign. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images) /

It’s a frustrating time for a player who clearly believes he’s capable of so much more. Does Kuminga voice that explicitly to the front office in the hope they move him to a younger team where he can garner greater opportunities? From a Golden State perspective, do they look at dealing him for a more reliable, more experienced talent?

The issue is that although Kuminga still holds the most trade value of any of Golden State’s young players, that value has, rightly or wrongly, diminished with his lack of playing time in the postseason.

Ryan Rollins

You could argue that the Warriors’ roster issues begun when they took two selections in last year’s NBA Draft. That’s nothing against Rollins — the second of those picks — but having six players 23 or younger was never going to be conducive to winning back-to-back championships.

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Rollins had some impressive performances in the G League but failed to have any impact with Golden State before suffering a season-ending foot injury in early February. He has a $1.7 million deal for next season, and a partially guaranteed contract for 2024-25, but that’s easy enough for the franchise to trade or buyout should they wish to use his spot on a more experienced option.

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