There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the core of the Golden State Warriors. A year after claiming its fourth NBA title in its sixth Finals appearance in eight years, the current Warriors’ championship core could break up, starting with its general manager Bob Myers.
Myers, the architect of the Warriors dynasty, could leave the organization after 11 full seasons as GM. His contract expires at the end of June. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Myers will take a “couple of weeks” to decide to remain with the organization he helped build.
Myers is “torn” about his decision due in part to his relationship with the Warriors’ core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and head coach Steve Kerr. Bob Myers is uncertain if he will go through another contract with the Golden State Warriors.
That is significant news for the Washington Wizards and any other team that may seek Myers’ services running their organization.
According to Sam Amico of HoopsWire, the Wizards won’t hire a head of basketball operations until Myers decides about the Warriors. Since January, Myers and the Wizards have been linked by reports.
Last month, Wizards owner Ted Leonsis fired the head of basketball operations and general manager Tommy Sheppard after four mediocre seasons. Immediately, Myers’ name surfaced as a possible replacement.
Negotiations between Golden State and Myers were described as “flat” in January. There is also the possibility Myers wants a fresh start. The Warriors’ roster is aging. Coming off an NBA title last season, the Warriors limped through the regular season before securing the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Golden State got eliminated in the conference semifinals by the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s the first time the Warriors have gotten eliminated in the playoffs before the NBA Finals since 2014. Following the playoff exit, Kerr said this season’s team was not a championship team and had “maxed out.”
Green, 33, expects to decline a $27.5 million player option for the 2023-24 season. Thompson, also 33 years of age, will make $43.2 million next season in the final year of a five-year, $189.9 million deal. According to The Athletic, the Warriors want Thompson to take a pay cut.
There’s also the relationship between the core veteran leadership and the young players. It’s seemingly been rocky following the infamous punch by Green to Jordan Poole in practice before the season started.
Meanwhile, the Wizards may provide relief for Myers. Washington’s star Bradley Beal signed a $251 million supermax deal last summer. But Beal’s name has surfaced in trade rumors since the Achilles injury of John Wall in 2018.
Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis are the top-two pieces to Beal’s supporting cast. However, both players expect to decline their respective player options this summer. The Wizards have continued contract talks with Porzingis despite not having a GM.
The Wizards have been stuck in NBA purgatory. Leonsis has maintained he is not interested in tanking. Yet, a GM with clout like Myers could persuade Leonsis to see the bigger picture by rebuilding the roster for better days, including trading Beal.
Wizard head coach Wes Unseld Jr. expects to remain for a third season despite missing the playoffs his first two seasons. The organization is stagnant and stale. Washington hasn’t had a winning record since the 2018-19 season, coinciding with Wall’s injury.
Landing Myers reshapes the Washington Wizards’ perception and focus. It’s a change that the Wizards desperately need. They’ll have competition if Myers opts to leave Golden State. The Los Angeles Clippers have eyes on him as well. But, it appears Leonsis is preparing to go all in for Myers’ services.
