Getty Image / Matthew Stockman
The Golden State Warriors make an underrated move right before the trade deadline strikes.
Although they didn’t gain any assets to help with the playoff push, the franchise is in a much better spot financially.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Warriors traded James Wiseman away to the Detroit Pistons in a three-team deal. Golden State got five second-round draft picks out of it.
The Warriors, Hawks and Pistons are in agreement on a three team deal, per @wojespn
– Pistons get James Wiseman
– Hawks get Saddiq Bey
– Warriors get five second-round picks pic.twitter.com/jJb6KYCKyw— Pickswise (@Pickswise) February 9, 2023
At first glance, this isn’t much to gloat about for the Warriors. However, trading away Wiseman and getting draft picks in return triggered a weird cash rule.
The Athletic explains how Golden State acquires $131 million in the next two years after making this deal.
“He’s owed $9.6 million this year and $12.2 million next year, meaning that San Antonio, Detroit, Utah or Indiana could trade for him without sending anything back.”
“Such a transaction would save the Warriors about $51 million in salary and tax this year and an estimated $85 million in salary and tax next year; a total of $131 million in savings to dump a guy who rarely plays.”
This is a massively underrated move to make considering how big of a financial gain the organization is receiving. Not too mention, it’s not like they’re missing out on much production on the court either.
While other teams in the Western Conference improved their rosters, the Warriors decided to improve their future outlook for free agency acquisitions.