The Golden State Warriors struck two deals last night, the first one coming with the Nets in which they finalized a sign-and-trade to land D’Angelo Russell, Treveon Graham, and Shabazz Napier to complete the Kevin Durant deal. The second deal sent Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick (top-four protected).
Russell will receive a four-year, $117 million maximum salary contract, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Golden State and Brooklyn have agreed on a sign-and-trade, sending D’Angelo Russell to the Warriors on a four-year, $117M maximum contract, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
By turning the Durant deal into a sign-and-trade, they could have created a $30 million trade exception. Instead, they’ll acquire a different player and his salary in return.
The Warriors must stay below the tax apron, set at roughly $138.9 million, to remain eligible to work out a sign-and-trade. Doing so with just the Russell and Klay Thompson moves (Thompson signed a maximum-salary deal) would have been extremely difficult, but trading away Andre Iguodala helped make it possible.
It appears likely that Shaun Livingston and his $7.7 million may also be on the way out, as ESPN’s Bobby Marks takes a more thorough look at the Warriors’ financial situation.
Salary in Golden State is as follows:
$123M-guaranteed contracts
$666K- dead money (possible Shaun Livingston)
$5.7M-FA holds (Poole, Bell and Cook)
Roster charge: $2.7MTotal: $133.7M
Hard cap: $138.9MTotal players 10
Filling the roster with $1.6M players = $137.5M
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 1, 2019
The Grizzlies will be able to take on Iguodala’s $17 million salary using the $25 million trade exception they’ll get when they officially send Mike Conley to Utah.
But it’s not guaranteed that Iguodala will even stick with the Grizzlies, as David Aldridge of The Athletic suggests that Memphis would like to have Iguodala act as a veteran mentor to the team’s young core, but he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a buyout. If he is bought out, he wouldn’t be eligible to re-sign with the Warriors in until after next season.
Grizzlies are hoping that Iguodala can help their young players that need to learn how to win. Very promising core in Memphis, clearly. But obviously this will be a shock to him and he’ll have to meet with new Memphis front office and new coach Taylor Jenkins.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2019
I certainly would not rule out a buyout, put it that way. But, let’s see how it plays out.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2019
Whether or not the Grizzlies keep or get rid of Iguodala, the 2024 first-rounder is the best asset in the deal. That pick will become top-one protected in 2025 if it doesn’t convey in 2024, according to Woj. It would be unprotected in 2026 if it doesn’t pan out in either of the first two years.
