Gloom And Doom In The Bay?
Some are viewing the Golden State Warriors 2018-19 season as a last hurrah for a core that by all means has defeated the system through sacrifices.
Shannon Sharpe is one of the few predicting the end is near.
NFL Hall of Famer and sports analyst/host Shannon Sharpe said on Wednesday’s episode of Undisputed that there’s a ’85 percent chance’ this season will be the last for the Warriors star-studded core.
“KD (Kevin Durant) is the big domino,” Sharpe said on the show. “The thing is Skip (Bayless) with him is … After he did what he did when he left OKC by joining a 73-9 team or a team that already had a two-time league MVP it would not surprise me to see him go join the Lakers and team up with LeBron James.”
Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors — a team who had just finished a NBA-record 73-9 and lost in the NBA Finals in seven games to the Cleveland Cavaliers — back in the summer of 2016.
The move set off a number of fans and followers of the sport as his decision was labeled as a ‘weak’ and ‘cowardly’ move. Durant and the Warriors have been as advertised since his arrival.
Joining an already All-Star trio that includes a reigning two-time NBA MVP in Stephen Curry, the Warriors have predictably won the last two NBA championships, giving them three in the last four years.
Shannon Sharpe went on to talk about the Golden State Warriors luxury tax playing a factor in the Warriors ability to keep their super team together.
“The luxury tax bill this year is $43 million dollars,” Sharpe said. “It goes to $90 million (the year after), $199 [million] (the next year) and $223 [million] (the next year). That’s half a billion. That’s if you exclude Boogie (DeMarcus Cousins). I understand they’re getting a new arena. Skip (Bayless) that’s not their salaries, that’s the luxury tax that’s a half a billion.”
What Shannon Sharpe says about the Golden State Warriors luxury tax increasing over the next four years is indeed true, but maybe not exactly.
Tim Kawakami of the Atlantic a few weeks after the Golden State Warriors signed DeMarcus Cousins to a one-year deal published a article about the Warriors luxury tax issue. The article explained how the arena for the 2019-20 season will impact the Warriors financially.
According to Kawakami, the Chase Center will have “membership fees” of about $15,000 – $20,000 per seat for season tickets. Adding together the number of fans committed to that along with other factors such as parking, actual ticket sales, concessions and local and nationally televised games and the Warriors may survive their luxury tax woes.
Shannon Sharpe believes that Klay Thompson — a free agent next summer — is likely to bolt for more money after eight seasons with the Warriors.
“I think it’s more probable than not because Klay (Thompson) is gonna have to look at this and ask himself an honest question. I don’t believe there’s anything as far as ring-wise that’s gonna change Klay’s legacy. So do I need four rings — I believe they’re gonna win it again (this season) — so four rings and stay here at say $60 million less than I could get at another team or have my own team?
“Draymond (Green) is gonna have to make that very same decision. Now Steph (Stephen Curry) and KD (Kevin Durant) that’s an entirely different argument. I think more so for Steph because (with) KD people are still gonna try to diminish what he did (leaving OKC for Golden State).”
The Golden State Warriors opened up training camp on Tuesday as they begin the road to a third consecutive NBA title.
Steve Kerr’s team is listed as a 5-8 favorite to win the NBA championship during the 2018-19 season.
The Warriors will open their regular-season on October 16th vs the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What are the chances the Golden State Warriors disband after this season? Leave your comments below!
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