But there’s not much negotiation to be had.

The Warriors will try to trade Paul and that nice $30 million chunk of cap space, and perhaps they can, but if nothing materializes, the Dubs can — and will — waive Paul and effectively counter Thompson’s new contract, if not come out a bit ahead on the balance sheet.

I imagine that’s what happens. Perhaps Paul can come back on a much cheaper deal. (I’m not sure there’s a market for him anywhere near what he’s currently making.)

The Warriors would likely be content with that one move. They’d still be in the luxury tax, but they’d stand a solid chance of being under the two luxury tax aprons, where the real ramifications (beyond a loss of cash) lie. Golden State has to be under those aprons for two of the next four years to avoid the most significant penalties (including the automatic depreciation of first-round draft picks.)

I’m no business major, but coming off a season where the Warriors were the most expensive team in NBA history but were only the No. 10 seed in the West, slashing salary seems like a good option.

I think the Warriors waive Paul.

But if the Warriors want to stop paying the tax altogether (an understandable concept) or add another player on a serious veteran contract, Golden State will have to move Andrew Wiggins, too. (He has three years and $85 million remaining on his deal.) To do that, they’ll likely have to attach a first-round draft pick to him in a trade.

What’s the upside of going under the luxury tax line? The Warriors could use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception — a roughly $13 million contract that won’t count against the tax bill.

If the Warriors remain over the $172 million tax line (but under the second apron), they will still qualify for the taxpayer mid-level exception (roughly $5 million).

Are the Warriors willing to commit to Moses Moody for 30 minutes a game? Are they willing to pay for someone else to pay Wiggins?

...continued

©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at mercurynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.