On Sunday evening, the Golden State Warriors will play the final game of their 2026 regular season when they visit the LA Clippers. The Warriors most recently lost to the Kings in Sacramento by a score of 124-118, dropping them to 37-44 on the season.
But as the regular season comes to a close, the Warriors are facing another kind of financial reality. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Golden State is one of seven teams that will finish over the luxury tax and pay a significant penalty.
The Warriors’ bill: $67.9 million.
Only the Cleveland Cavaliers, at $68.7 million, have a higher luxury tax payment than Golden State this season. The New York Knicks ($44.4 million), Los Angeles Lakers ($22.2 million), Houston Rockets ($7.2 million), LA Clippers ($6.7 million), and Minnesota Timberwolves ($6 million) round out the list.
Marks noted that the projected payment to the 23 non-taxpaying teams is $4.9 million, which is the lowest tax distribution since the 2020-21 season.
The Cost of Contention: A Willingness to Spend
For Warriors fans, there is at least some consolation in knowing that ownership is still willing to spend big money. The franchise has built a dynasty on a willingness to invest in talent, and that philosophy has not changed.
However, the return on that investment has diminished in recent years. The Warriors are the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference with a 37-44 record. They will have to win their way through the play-in tournament just to reach the 2026 NBA playoffs.
The franchise has not returned to the NBA Finals since their 2022 championship run.
The Highest-Paid Players: Where the Money Goes
According to Spotrac, the Warriors’ most highly paid players are:
Stephen Curry: $59.6 million
Jimmy Butler: $54.1 million
Kristaps Porzingis: $30.7 million
Draymond Green: $25.9 million
Moses Moody: $11.6 million
That is over $180 million committed to just five players. And when you factor in the luxury tax, the total cost of this roster is staggering.
Curry remains the face of the franchise and the engine of the offense. Butler was acquired to be a second star but has been injured for much of the season. Porzingis has provided solid production but has also dealt with health issues. Green is the defensive anchor and emotional leader, but he is also 36 years old.
Moody, at $11.6 million, is the only player on that list who is not a veteran max or near-max contract.
The Kerr Contract: Highest-Paid Coach in NBA History
In addition to the team’s high payroll, the Warriors are also paying head coach Steve Kerr top dollar. In February 2024, Kerr agreed to a two-year, $35 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid coach in league history at $17.5 million per year.
Kerr has earned that money. He has led the Warriors to four championships and established a culture of excellence. But with the team struggling to return to contention, questions about his future have naturally emerged.
Kerr is not under contract for next season, and while the Warriors want him back, it will reportedly be his choice whether to return.
The Play-In: A Season on the Line
Before the Warriors can even think about the offseason, they have to survive the play-in tournament. Locked into the No. 10 seed, Golden State will need to win two consecutive road games just to earn the No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
It is a tall order for a team that has been decimated by injuries all season. Jimmy Butler is out for the year. Moses Moody has been sidelined indefinitely. Stephen Curry just returned from a 27-game absence.
But the Warriors have Curry, and as long as they have him, they have a chance.
The Offseason Ahead: Intriguing Decisions
The Warriors will enter an intriguing offseason with significant decisions to make about their roster and their head coach.
Kerr’s future is the first domino. If he returns, the Warriors will likely try to run it back with the same core one more time. If he leaves, the franchise could be facing a full-scale rebuild.
The luxury tax bill will also be a factor. The Warriors have shown a willingness to spend, but at some point, the financial math becomes unsustainable. Paying $67.9 million in luxury tax for a 10th-seeded team is not a winning formula.
The Verdict: A Dynasty at a Crossroads
The Golden State Warriors have been the most successful franchise of the past decade. They have four championships, a loyal fan base, and a brand of basketball that changed the NBA.
But dynasties don’t last forever. The Warriors are now paying the price for their success—literally.
A $67.9 million luxury tax bill. A 37-44 record. A play-in game that could end their season. And an offseason full of uncertainty.
The Warriors owe the NBA a lot of money. But more than that, they owe themselves a decision about what comes next.
Sunday’s game against the Clippers is the final game of the regular season. Then the play-in begins. And then, win or lose, the real work starts.