The Golden State Warriors reduced their overall salary obligations during the offseason. With Klay Thompson and Chris Paul leaving the franchise, the Warriors’ payroll looks better than it has in several years. Joe Lacob said he wants the franchise to reduce its tax burden in the 2023-24 season and potentially avoid another repeat tax.

In a recent article for Bleacher Report, cap guru Eric Pincus explained how the new cap rules and the Warriors’ recent moves in free agency provide the team with an opportunity to potentially avoid the first tax increase next season.

“The key change for the Warriors was the reduction in the luxury tax from last year’s league-leading $176.9 million penalty,” Pincus wrote. “It wouldn’t be surprising to see the franchise fall completely under the tax line before the trade deadline. Thompson may be gone, but the team signed De’Anthony Melton, Anderson and Hield while drastically reducing payroll.”

The front office has done a great job of restructuring the roster while taking a significant pay cut, and the Warriors may be in better shape than they were last season and could avoid being a luxury tax team in the coming months.

Whether the front office decides to avoid the luxury tax or add another impact player to the rotation remains to be seen. Either way, it was a strong summer in the Bay Area.