#brandin podziemski

[ikram1909]

He's just like me 😭😭

[erk-thejerk]

Merry Xmas from the NBA Golden State Warriors 2023-2024

[freethrows]

Golden State Warriors Host Annual Charity Poker Tournament

[girl-from-yharnam]

[lovepurplequeen]

BP is a real one. I would take out CP for Looney & Iggy🫡

[tangerwoll]

brandin podziemski recaps warriors win over trail blazers | 12.23.23

[feddy-34]

every time brandin podziemski is on my television

[warriosground408]

[doublescribble]

Lauri Markkanen, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Andrew Wiggins

[hoopsmedia]

New pickups on Sorare NBA //

Use this link to sign up if you are interested.

[masoncarr2244]

Brandin Podziemski - Minnesota Timberwolves at. Golden State Warriors 11/14/23/

[girl-from-yharnam]

Birthday win for Wiggs!

[lovepurplequeen]

BP really is that annoying little bro lmao

[basketballjersey]

[okayyklayy]

Warriors' Offseason: Balancing the Roster Under New CBA Rules

This season, the NBA introduced the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which highlighted several significant changes starting in the 2023-24 season. Here are the main things I noted:

Second Tax Apron:

Teams exceeding $17.5 million over the luxury tax threshold face new restrictions. These teams cannot:

Use the mid-level exception to sign players

Take in more salary in trades than they send out

Trade first-round picks seven years into the future

Send cash in trades

Sign buyout players during the season

(Yahoo Sports)​​ (Yahoo Sports)​

2. Contract Extensions:

Veteran players can now sign extensions worth up to 140% of their previous salary, up from 120% under the old CBA. This is intended to help teams retain star players with more lucrative deals​

 (Yahoo Sports)​​ (Boardroom)​

3. Cap Smoothing:

Salary cap increases are capped at 10% per year to avoid sudden spikes, like the KD trade that led to chaotic spending and significant shifts in team dynamics​. Cap increased by 32% and role players received more lucrative deals than expected, while the Warriors gained enough space to sign KD.

Future for the Warriors

The recently implemented CBA presents major challenges for the Warriors' front office. Key issues include the futures of Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, and potential trade moves with Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga. (PSA: I am not an expert on any of this stuff, please correct anything I may have mixed up or misinterpreted)

The CP3 Decision

Chris Paul’s contract situation is probably the first critical decision the front office will have to make. With his $30 million contract being non-guaranteed if waived before June 28, the Warriors will not be able to use him as a trade asset. Guaranteeing a portion, or all, of his salary, along with Kevon Looney’s, provides leverage in potential trade deals. However, waiving CP3 would immediately place the Warriors below the second apron, offering a lot more flexibility under the new CBA. Most notably, gaining back the ability to use the mid-level exception.

Resigning Klay Thompson

Re-signing Klay Thompson would be my main priority if I was in the Warriors front office. However, many Warriors fans are eager about the possibility of Klay walking to acquire a star in a trade.

This is the scenario I keep going back to in my head, but keep in mind, this specific scenario assumes a number of things:

the Warriors waive CP3

the Warriors sign their 52nd pick for an estimated $1.6M

they sign 2 vet min free agents at the Cam Reddish/Luke Kornet price range

Joe Lacob is okay with being a tax team and being capped at the first apron

Waiving CP3 immediately puts them below the second apron, tack on their rookie and the 2 Cam Reddish priced vet mins, the Warriors are sitting at around $150M as their total salary. Giving them $20M to play around with before they hit the luxury tax, as well as the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (that they can now use thanks to being under the 2nd apron).

To simplify this, the Warriors would basically have $33M to split between Klay and a free agent. This approach not only helps retain one of the franchise's pivotal players, but also ensures the team remains competitive by adding another valuable piece to the roster.

Potential targets for the NTMLE (which is projected to be around $12.4M) that I like are Doug McDermott, Kyle Anderson, or Cedi Osman, all of whom provide size and can make an immediate impact.

On the other hand, if Klay leaves, the Warriors could utilize the entire NTMLE. This would allow them to target more expensive players who can fill the gaps, despite the fact that the Warriors cant use Klay's salary slot if he walks. Another huge blow for them.

Free Agent Targets

The Warriors have various free agent targets and potential veteran minimum signings to consider. Some players that I like at a low cost are:

Nic Batum who is currently at the end of his 2yr/$22M contract with the Clippers

Justin Holiday who is at the end of his 1yr/$3.1M contract with the Nuggets

Mike Muscala who is at the end of his 1yr/$808k contract with the Thunder

Xavier Tillman who signed a 4 year/$6.5M contract with the Grizzlies

and Alex Len signed a 1 year/$3.1M contract with the Kings

I have hopes that these vet mins signings could fill specific roles, similar to how Otto Porter Jr. contributed to the Warriors during their '22 championship run. Their experience and versatility could be valuable, especially while trying to make a strong push with Steph with tight financial constraints.

Draft Prospects

This year, the Warriors only hold the 52nd pick in the draft, which again limits their roster building. It isn't completely unheard of to draft a very talented player late in the draft though. Here are some of my favorite prospects that I hope will still be around at 52:

Enrique Freeman: An insane rebounder, secondary rim protector, not a great shooter, attacks long close-outs

Adem Bona: A defensive-minded center with great shot-blocking ability and rebounding skills, but gets into foul trouble easily

Jaylen Wells: A versatile wing who can score and has the potential to be 3&D given the improvement of defense

Antonio Reeves: A sharp-shooting guard who can provide instant offense off the bench, but isn't known for defense

Conclusion

As the offseason unfolds, it has become clear that the Warriors must prioritize either their spending or making the most of the Steph years. The new CBA introduces significant changes, including the repeater tax. The Warriors, having paid this tax multiple times, must carefully manage their payroll to avoid exorbitant penalties that come with being a repeat offender.

Balancing their high payroll with the desire to remain competitive around Steph is another major challenge. The team also needs to majorly address the supporting cast around Steph. Players like Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski show glimpses of promise, but their development timelines may not align perfectly with the aging core of Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green.

Even though all of this may seem like a lot, it is still possible for the Warriors to obtain a stronger roster, comply with the CBA, and continue to compete for championships during Steph's remaining prime years. Go Dubs! 💙💛