With no players entering their fourth year in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors are left with a stress-free period as the deadline for contract extensions nears for some.
Klay Thompson is currently the only Warrior extension eligible, but he and the franchise can orchestrate a new contract all the way up until June 30 next year. However, the same relative inactivity is unlikely to be the same for Golden State in 12 months time.
The Golden State Warriors will already be preparing their plans for the extension eligibility of Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody in 12 months time.
2021 lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody will be extension eligible at the same point next year. While there’s a whole season to play out before that comes around, they’re looming decisions Golden State will have already begun preparing for.
The best laid plans may be thrown in jeopardy if the third-year pair can make an even bigger rise than many expect this season. Kuminga, in particular, was Golden State’s best player across five preseason outings.
The 21-year-old’s 21.7 points per game were second in the entire league, shooting 54.8% from the floor and 45.8% from three-point range while also adding 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 27.1 minutes.
While Kuminga was the undoubted standout, Moody was equally impressive in averaging 13.2 points and shooting an extraordinary 54.5% from three-point range across the preseason.
The Warriors plans for the duo will almost certainly impact other players and areas of the roster. For example, any new contract for Thompson may be influenced by what the franchise may expect to pay on Kuminga and Moody extensions next offseason.
Recently acquired veteran point-guard Chris Paul is another who could be impacted. The 38-year-old has a non-guaranteed $30,000 deal for next season, and Golden State may have no choice but to waive him if they need to fork out significant new deals for Kuminga and Moody.
The young duo could be put on the trade block themselves if the front office isn’t confident in being able to pay one or both players. If they don’t sign extensions before the deadline next offseason, they’ll enter restricted free agency in 2025.