Paying Like a Contender, Playing Like a Team Still Finding Itself
Golden State's payroll sits above the second apron, but last season's lineup numbers show a team still searching for an identity on the floor.
Golden State enters the season carrying $223.3 million in salary, well above the league's second apron, built around a core that produced a -0.5 net rating a year ago. The lineup numbers from that season cut two ways: one five-man look outscored opponents by 16.9 points per 100 possessions, while the unit that played the most minutes was outscored by 6.5.
Two Lineups, Two Different Seasons
Last season's best five-man look, Curry, Jimmy Butler, Green, Kuminga and Podziemski, outscored opponents by 16.9 points per 100 possessions. That came in only 8 games and 65 minutes together, a sample too small to bank on. The lineup that actually logged the most run, Curry, Butler, Green, Moody and Post, posted a net rating of -6.5 across 17 games and 125 minutes. The version of this team that played the most looked the worst on paper.
The Full-Season Number Splits the Difference
Across the whole season, Golden State finished at -0.5, an offense ranked 19th and a defense ranked 16th, playing at a pace of 100.0. That number sits almost exactly between the two lineup extremes, which is its own kind of answer: no single grouping defined the team, and the average hid as much as it showed. A -0.5 net rating does not tell you which five players were on the floor when it mattered.
The Payroll Doesn't Wait for the Lineup to Sort Itself Out
Golden State opens this season with $223.3 million in salary committed, above the second apron, which sits at $221.7 million, and well past the $200.4 million luxury tax line. Curry signed a two-year extension on September 25, Podziemski a five-year deal on October 10, both without salary or option terms reported yet. The spending reflects a decision already made: keep the core together and let the lineup math catch up later.
What the Numbers Can't Fix
Kristaps Porzingis, who averaged 16.7 points last season, has been out indefinitely since September 28, with no further detail reported on the issue. The lineup and rating numbers above don't account for his absence now, or for Butler's right knee injury, expected to keep him out until January 2. A payroll built at apron level is not yet the roster that will take the floor.
What is the Warriors' payroll this season?
Golden State carries $223.3 million in salary, above the second apron and the $200.4 million luxury tax line.
Why is Kristaps Porzingis not playing for the Warriors?
He has been out indefinitely since September 28 with a health issue the team has not detailed further.
