Mr. Curry Key
On April 26, Beijing time, the NBA officially announced the final winner of the Best Key Player Award in the regular season, and Curry, the core of the Warriors, won the award by successfully defeating strong opponents such as DeRozan and Alexander with his outstanding performance. The stats show that at a critical moment in the regular season this season, when the difference between the two teams was within five points in the final five minutes of the final quarter, Curry showed extraordinary strength. He has accumulated 189 points, which is the highest in the league. What's even more striking is that he shoots 49.6% from the field, 45.7% from three-point range, and 95.1% from the free-throw line.
Curry, meanwhile, had as many as 10 key stats in the final five minutes of the final quarter in which the difference between the two teams was within five points. He scored a whopping 189 points, 59 goals totaled, and an astonishing 32 three-point shots, of which Curry hit 32 three-pointers in key moments in a single season, which set a new record for Reggie Miller and became the most in history. In addition, he also excelled in scoring points per minute at key moments, the number of goals he rebounded in the final minute and the number of goals he rebounded in the final 10 seconds, demonstrating his exceptional scoring ability and calm decision-making at crucial moments. With this outstanding performance, the Warriors have the opportunity to contract a one-year, $62.6 million contract extension with the Warriors to continue wearing the Warriors jersey for the 2026-27 season. However, Warriors owner Rugbu most likely won't do that!
Ragbu announced an important decision
In recent years, the Warriors have won four NBA championships with their outstanding performances, but this season with full personnel, they have missed the playoffs, and the contracts of several key players of the team have expired, the Warriors are at a crossroads in their careers, but although the road ahead is full of unknowns, one thing is certain: when the horn of the new regular season is blown at the end of October, Curry, the star of the Warriors, and head coach Kerr will return hand in hand, Curry as a non-sale for the Warriors, he has two years left on his contract, and Coach Kerr has just signed a contract with the team worth $35 millionand a two-year contract extension. However, the perception of Warriors owner Rugbu is quietly changing.
Recently, in an interview with Warriors reporter Tim Kawakami, Rugbu said frankly: "Next season, our first goal is to avoid taxes! Not only does it fall below the second luxury tax line, but I don't want to pay a duplicate luxury tax!" From the 13-14 season to the present, the Warriors have paid $677 million in fines to the league, and have paid the luxury tax for 4 seasons in the past 6 seasons, but over the years, the Warriors have formed a dynasty team, not only won 4 championships, but the market value of the Warriors has also increased several times, so Rugerb does not frown at all in spending money, but now the situation is different, he did not make the playoffs, the Warriors' income has shrunk a lot, and Rugerb has to tighten his belt to live.
At present, the Warriors have 11 players under contract, except for Klay to become a free agent, the Warriors' total salary still exceeds the luxury tax red line of $2.7 million, the Warriors want to save money, then Paul and his $30 million non-guaranteed contract will definitely be waived, Paul's assists this season are the only ones on the bench, but his organizational skills help the Warriors' bench, but in terms of scoring, Paul can not provide much, and it is indeed not suitable for an annual salary of $30 million. However, Paul's contract is non-guaranteed, and he cannot be traded with other players in the team, and can only be exchanged for players with non-guaranteed contracts, so Paul can only leave disappointed with a high probability. However, it is not ruled out that Paul will re-sign a middle-class contract with the Warriors, or even a base salary contract, but Paul with a base salary must be the sweetheart of the league, and the championship team is undoubtedly rushing.
Clay had three options in front of him
If Paul's decision to leave is almost a certainty, then the Warriors' consideration of Klay will undoubtedly be cautious! The 34-year-old Klay has played off the bench in 14 games this season, contributing an average of 19.8 points per game, and the three-point shooting rate is as high as 42.8%, and he still has good scoring ability and shooting skills. After All-Star Weekend, Klay's performance was even more impressive. He averages second-highest points per game, shooting 45.4 percent from the field and a steady 41.2 percent three-point percentage. But in the play-off game against the Kings, Klay scored 0 points, which was questioned by the outside world.
While Klay qualifies for a four-year, $221 million contract extension this summer, it's unrealistic to get such a lucrative contract in the current situation. Now there are three options in front of Klay, one chooses to take a salary cut and renew his contract, stay with the team on a two-year contract of $60 million, and after two years, he can still get a long-term contract; second, as a free agent, sign with other teams, many teams in the league have expressed their willingness to sign Klay, such as the 76ers, Magic, and Thunder; third, sign first and then trade, trade Klay. In fact, for Clay, the best choice is to take a salary cut and stay in the team!
The future of two rookies
Kuminga has been particularly impressive this season, averaging 16.1 points per game while hitting career-high key figures such as rebounds, assists and shooting percentage from the field, averaging 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 52.9 percent shooting per game, respectively. Moody has also shown great quality this season, playing in nine games as a starter, averaging 12.6 points per game and shooting 39.5 percent from three-point range. Notably, when Moody played more than 15 minutes, the Warriors had a pretty good record of 28-18.
Although Kuminga has performed well and shown the potential to become a star, it is not enough to get a five-year rookie salary of $225 million, but a four-year contract of $120 million must be guaranteed! Secondly, considering Moody's performance and potential, his contract extension is expected to be between $13 million and $14 million. However, if Klay chooses to leave in the free agent market, Moody's role on the team will be even more important, so it is in the interest of both parties to wait until after next season to negotiate a contract.
Wiggins will be traded
It is undeniable that Wiggins is one of the team's merits in the Warriors' championship season, but in the past two seasons, Wiggins has really affected the Warriors' record due to personal matters, and his ups and downs have even made him a negative equity player in the trade market, but if Wiggins flows into the trade market, there will definitely be a lot of potential next home for him. BR's reporter Eric Pincus recently broke the news that the 76ers, Trail Blazers, and Warriors are expected to reach a three-way deal in the offseason, the 76ers get Wiggins, the Warriors get Brogdon, Ayton, the Trail Blazers get Looney, a first-round pick from the 76ers, a first-round pick from the Warriors, a trade exception!
What do you think about this?