With the Golden State Warriors heading into financial overdrive, Crickex App reports that the team’s total payroll is set to approach the $400 million mark following Draymond Green’s contract extension. Every decision made now seems to offer a sense of liberation — but at a hefty cost. Team owner Joe Lacob has already cemented his legacy as the league’s highest-spending owner, having poured immense resources into preserving the core trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. In many ways, the Warriors’ championships were built not just on talent, but on deep pockets.
Yet unlike most franchises, the Warriors seem to possess a unique pull — a culture so strong it convinces players to accept less money to stay. Crickex App highlights Kevon Looney and Andrew Wiggins as prime examples. Even though they misjudged Jordan Poole’s long-term fit, the team remains committed to developing young talent, patiently grooming players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.
This offseason marks a shift: the Warriors have begun to show financial restraint. After a season that fell short of a title run, they re-signed Green on a contract below market value, attempting to keep their championship nucleus intact at a more manageable cost.
Klay Thompson, meanwhile, is actively discussing a contract extension with the team. The Warriors are determined to retain him but have made it clear he must take a significant pay cut. Encouragingly, Thompson has reportedly expressed willingness to do just that. If an agreement is reached, the extension could be announced before the start of training camp. Many believe the only reason the Warriors hadn’t renewed Thompson earlier was due to Poole’s presence. Now that Poole is gone, it’s the right time to lock in Klay’s future.
Even a failed attempt is better than doing nothing at all — and trading Poole, who dominated the ball too often and disrupted Curry’s rhythm, was a necessary move. In contrast to Thompson’s star power, Kevon Looney has been the team’s unsung hero, quietly anchoring the squad with loyalty and sacrifice.
Despite being eligible to chase higher salaries elsewhere, Looney accepted a lower deal to remain in Golden State. His final contract year is only partially guaranteed at $3 million, and if the Warriors were to waive him, the financial loss would be substantial. Yet Looney still signed without hesitation — a reflection of his deep loyalty to the franchise. It’s worth noting that Steph Curry had early conversations with the front office, emphasizing that Green and Thompson should be top priorities.
If the Warriors’ culture is defined by stars accepting pay cuts, then Curry’s advocacy for his longtime teammates has earned universal respect. Be yourself — everyone else is already taken. Though expectations are lower this year, Crickex App believes that as long as Curry is leading the charge, the Warriors still have a real shot at returning to the NBA Finals.