The Loudest Warriors Rumor Isn't the One That Matters
Most of this camp's reported moves already match the roster; the reports still unresolved are the two that will actually shape the season.
A run of transactions reported over the past three weeks — roster cuts, a two-way deal, an overseas signing — turned out almost exactly as reported, regardless of the confidence score attached. The two reports that matter more, Stephen Curry's extension and Kristaps Porzingis' health issue, are the ones still sitting at low confidence and open status, with no terms and no diagnosis attached to either.
The paperwork that already cleared
Warriors camp produced a string of reports that read as routine and held up that way. HoopsRumors logged Golden State among several teams making cuts on September 22, confirmed. Five days later, on September 27, a roundup of minor roster moves across the Wizards, Wolves, Nets, Clippers and Pistons also carried confirmed status. In between, Emiliano Carchia reported September 21 that Lajae Jones, cut from Warriors camp, signed with an Italian team — confirmed, at a 50 confidence score. None of these changed the shape of the roster the Warriors open the season with; they just cleaned up the edges.
Confidence scores that didn't match what happened
Paul Garcia's September 19 report that Obi Agbim would sign a training camp deal with the Warriors carried the highest confidence score of this stretch, 83, and it still proved temporary: Agbim left camp before the roster locked. Kenzo Fukuda's report that Graham Ike would join on a two-way deal carried only a 34 confidence score and open status, and Ike is on the roster that opens tonight at the Clippers. The score attached to a report says nothing about whether the player sticks.
The two reports that actually matter are still open
HoopsRumors reported September 26 that Curry and the Warriors had finalized a two-year extension. That report sits at 35 confidence, open status, and no salary or option terms have followed it — three days earlier, the same outlet had reported there was no decision yet. Anthony Slater reported September 28 that Porzingis is out indefinitely with a health issue, at 43 confidence, also open, with no diagnosis attached. Those are the two stories with the power to change how this season goes, and both are still just reports.
Even a credible report has to clear the cap sheet
Golden State carries $223.3 million in payroll, above the $200.4 million luxury tax line and into the second apron, with Curry at $62.6 million, Jimmy Butler at $56.8 million, Draymond Green at $27.7 million and Porzingis at $19.5 million. Any rumor that adds a player to this roster has to answer where the money comes from before it is worth taking seriously.
Has Stephen Curry signed his contract extension?
HoopsRumors reported September 26 that Curry and the Warriors finalized a two-year extension, but the report carries only 35 confidence and open status, and no salary or option terms have been reported since.
What is Kristaps Porzingis' injury?
Anthony Slater reported September 28 that Porzingis is out indefinitely with a health issue, listed at 43 confidence and open status; no diagnosis has been reported.
