One NBA franchise’s cap crunch is another franchise’s roster coup. The Golden State Warriors are winding down the 2026 NBA offseason with a very crunchy cap sheet that is $348k away from the second apron.
The ever-constricting second apron is amplifying two unresolved contract extension agendas for the Warriors: a new contract for their franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry and a new contract for their young franchise talent Brandin Podziemski.
Curry’s extension presumably carries the highest priority for the Warriors, and that puts an interesting spotlight on Podziemski’s future with the Warriors
If Podziemski and the Warriors are unable to reach an agreement on a new contract extension by the last day before the start of the 2026-27 NBA regular season, Oct 19, 2026, then Podziemski will go to 2027 NBA restricted free agency. A Podziemski restricted free-agent market is a space the rebuilding Bulls should compete in, looking forward to the 2027 NBA offseason.
NBA restricted free-agent classes have been headlined recently by players whose salary expectations have largely exceeded their on-court impact, such as unrestricted free agent guard Cam Thomas or Podziemski’s former Warriors t...