The Price of Gold

Credit: Blue Man Hoop

The Golden State Warriors weren’t just the most expensive team in the NBA last season. Instead, the star-studded roster was the second highest-paid group of players assembled in North American professional sports history. Thus far, the roster has proved to be more than worth the hefty price tag, as the organization’s net worth has appreciated to $5.6 billion since Joe Lacob purchased the team back in 2010 for just $450 million.

Although four NBA titles in eight years haven’t come cheap, the price to keep their championship aspirations alive for years to come will surely break the bank. After paying $346 million in combined salary last season, the Warriors’ payroll is projected to exceed half a billion dollars next year. With four of their five starters signed to max contracts and Jordan Poole expected to earn the same, there will certainly be some big decisions to make in Golden State.

With recent reports suggesting the Warriors could have an interest in trading for old flame Kevin Durant, the price in the pursuit of another star then becomes the foundation of their future. Though going all in on a win-now asset may seem enticing, especially when factoring in their ability to offload salary in any given deal, the young talent on display in Golden State is far too valuable.

Though Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody will surely demand more dollars in the future, their potential presents the possibility that Golden State may very well be developing yet another championship core. So despite the certainty of an ever-increasing payroll, Joe Lacob has the opportunity to cement his Warriors as the gold standard for generations to come, and he might just have the pockets deep enough to pull it off.