Above Every Line, By the Thinnest Margin
Curry and Podziemski got paid this month, but neither deal moves Golden State's $223.3 million payroll back under the league's toughest penalty tier.
Golden State carries $223.3 million in salary, over the $200.4 million tax threshold and the $221.7 million second apron alike. Two new extensions for Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski add long-term certainty without lowering that number at all.
Every Threshold, Cleared
Seventeen contracts add up to $223.3 million. That clears the $165.0 million salary cap, the $200.4 million tax threshold, the $209.0 million first apron and the $221.7 million second apron — all four markers, in order, with the payroll sitting closest to that last one. Golden State isn't deep into the penalty zone. It's just across the final line, and the league's rules don't care how close the call was.
Five Contracts, One Cliff in 2027-28
Curry's $62.6 million and Butler's $56.8 million are the two biggest numbers on the sheet. Green follows at $27.7 million, Porzingis at $19.5 million, Moody at $12.5 million. Look ahead to the 2027-28 numbers and Butler and Green are gone from the list entirely — their money isn't accounted for past this season, while Curry ($55.7 million), Porzingis (a $20.5 million player option) and Moody ($13.4 million) all are.
Two Extensions, Still No Numbers
Curry's two-year extension was finalized September 25. Podziemski's five-year extension followed October 10. Neither has a reported salary or option structure, though The Athletic reported Podziemski's deal at $110 million. Both are commitments stacked on top of a payroll that was already over the cap, the tax line and both aprons before either signature.
Where the Relief Valve Actually Sits
The real release valves are option years: Porzingis can decline his $20.5 million in 2027-28, Melton his $5.8 million. On picks, Golden State keeps its own first-round selections in 2027, 2028 and 2029, but the 2029 second-rounder is owed to Brooklyn and the 2030 first is already protected to Memphis. Tuesday's moves — Tyler Burton signing an Exhibit 10 contract, Miles Kelly waived — are roster depth, not cap space. Nothing happening this week brings the number down.
How far over the cap are the Warriors?
Golden State's $223.3 million payroll clears the $165.0 million salary cap, the $200.4 million tax threshold, the $209.0 million first apron and the $221.7 million second apron — the NBA's four spending lines, in order.
What do the Curry and Podziemski extensions actually pay them?
Neither extension has reported salary or option terms. Curry's two-year deal was finalized September 25, and Podziemski's five-year deal followed October 10, though The Athletic reported Podziemski's at $110 million.
