After winning their fourth title in eight seasons, the Golden State Warriors face an uncertain future with players hungry for contract extensions. Some of that tension appeared to boil over Wednesday with an altercation between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole.
According to The Athletic, Green "forcefully struck" Poole after some pushing and shoving between the two, resulting in practice being stopped and possible disciplinary action for Green.
Green has a $27.6 million player option for 2023-24, while Poole will be a restricted free agent if he doesn't agree to an extension before the start of the 2022-23 campaign.
If the Warriors, facing historic luxury-tax payments, need to choose between Green or Poole, which of the two should they max out?
Diving into Poole
"Poole," one agent said. "Does Draymond get the max anywhere else?"
Heading into his fourth year, the 23-year-old guard averaged a career-high 18.5 points per game last season. The Warriors can give him a projected four-year, $150.1 million regular extension—or even five at up $194.3 million total—but is Poole worth the standard max, let alone the designated one?
"He's talented offensively," a competing executive said. "But he's got to expand his game."
Should any franchise give out a max deal to somewhat of a one-dimensional player (even if that one dimension, scoring, is usually the one that commands the highest salary)? Poole is skilled, but he has not done enough yet to warrant a max salary.
So, what would be the right price?