The Warriors' Numbers Don't Point in One Direction
Golden State's spending, its record and its own lineup data this preseason aren't telling the same story yet.
Golden State enters this season carrying the league's heaviest bill without a win yet to justify it. Last season's results, this preseason's lineup numbers and an early workload shift all point in different directions, and none of them agree on what fixes the roster.
What the Bill Says
Golden State is carrying $224.7 million in salary across 18 contracts, above the $221.7 million second apron line. Stephen Curry's $62.6 million, Jimmy Butler III's $56.8 million, Draymond Green's $27.7 million and Kristaps Porzingis's $19.5 million account for most of it. That number says the front office is committed to this exact core for another year. It does not say the team got better since last season — the bill came due before a single game of this one was played.
What Last Season's Record Says
Golden State finished 37-45, with a net rating of -0.5 that ranked 20th of 30 teams, an offense that ranked 19th and a defense that ranked 16th. That spread says the problem wasn't one broken unit — both ends were middling. It does not say which fix moves the number, since the roster around Curry and Butler is largely the one that produced it.
What the Lineup Data Says, and Doesn't
In limited minutes last season, the grouping of Butler, Green, Moody and Podziemski with Q. Post at center posted a net rating of +2.3 over 64 minutes, with a defensive rating of 101.5. Add Curry to that same grouping and the sample grows to 125 minutes, but the net rating falls to -6.5, with the defensive rating climbing to 119.9. That gap says the defense held up fine without Curry on the floor for one stretch last season. It does not say removing him fixes anything — 64 and 125 minutes are too small a sample to build a plan around.
What the Rotation Is Already Showing
Across his final 10 games last season, Gui Santos averaged 29.6 minutes a night, 9.1 more than his 20.5-minute season average. That number says his role was already expanding before this season began. It does not say that holds now — a late-season stretch is not a guaranteed spot once the rotation is set, and camp is still sorting out who fills it.
Why is the Warriors' payroll above the luxury line this season?
Golden State is carrying $224.7 million in salary across 18 contracts, above the $221.7 million second apron, led by Stephen Curry's $62.6 million and Jimmy Butler III's $56.8 million deals.
Do the Warriors' lineup numbers from last season mean anything for this season?
Not on their own. The samples are 64 and 125 minutes, too small to prove anything about how the current roster should be arranged.
