With their explosive luxury tax bill, every dollar pledged in the future is important to track and monitor for the Golden State Warriors. It may determine whether they will follow up. That’s why the exact details of Jordan Poole’s lucrative four-year extension, which begins next season, are useful to understand.
Poole was guaranteed at least $123 million during the transaction. It could stretch to $140 million, but given the incentives in place, Poole’s chances of getting every dollar of the additional $17 million are nearly impossible.
So let’s take a quick look. This is on a season-by-season basis, in place for each of the four years.
Poole will earn an additional $250,000 if he plays at least 65 regular-season games and the Warriors reach the first round of the playoffs.
Poole would make an extra $250,000 if he played at least 65 regular-season games and the Warriors made it to the second round of the playoffs.
Poole will earn an additional $250,000 if he plays at least 65 regular-season games and the Warriors reach the Western Conference finals.
Poole would make an extra $250,000 if he played at least 65 regular-season games and the Warriors made it to the NBA Finals.
If Poole played at least 65 regular-season games and the Warriors won at least 52 regular-season games, he would have made an extra $250,000.
The NBA has considered all five as possible incentives, meaning they will initially count toward Poole’s salary cap in his projected numbers, but won’t count toward his actual tax bill unless he meets the required incentives.
But these are only $1.25 million of the extra $4.