Warriors’ third-year wing attract $40+ million deal in extension talks…

Nearly three years into his NBA career, Moses Moody is yet to solidify himself as a legitimate part of the Golden State Warriors’ rotation. The 21-year-old’s future remains clouded as a result, with plenty of speculation regarding his future over the last 12-15 months.

The Warriors have chose to maintain faith in Moody’s development, and now face the prospect of offering the former lottery pick a contract extension as part of a multitude of decisions to be made during the offseason.

Young wing Moses Moody could still attract a $40+ million contract extension from the Golden State Warriors in the offseason

Evaluating Moody’s value is a difficult exercise, such has been the often stop-start, fluctuating nature of his career. While he has all the tools to be a prototypical three-and-D wing, Moody is yet to put it altogether to the point of being a consistent rotation member.

In analyzing potential extension outcomes for first-round picks from the 2021 NBA Draft, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus believes Moody could ask for upwards of $10 million per season.

That sort of asking price could result in a four-year deal between $40-$50 million, but even that could prove too risky a move for both parties. Moody could foreseeably see himself as a $15-20 million within a couple of years, while from a franchise’s perspective, paying upwards of $10 million per season is a hefty price to pay for someone who hasn’t solidified a rotation spot.

After a rough shooting stretch for most of March, Moody has rediscovered his stroke over the past two games. The 6’5″ wing had 15 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, then went 2-of-3 from beyond the arc in a 10-point display against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

Moody’s shooting may be what makes or breaks his career. Head coach Steve Kerr recently stated that he believes in Moody’s three-point shooting, though the former 14th overall pick is shooting a career-low 34.7% this season.

An extension for Moody is likely to be on the lower end of priorities for the Warriors in what’s sure to be a busy offseason. That includes decisions on veterans Klay Thompson and Chris Paul, while Moody’s fellow third-year lottery pick Jonathan Kuminga is also extension eligible.

Moody’s shooting may be what makes or breaks his career. Head coach Steve Kerr recently stated that he believes in Moody’s three-point shooting, though the former 14th overall pick is shooting a career-low 34.7% this season.

An extension for Moody is likely to be on the lower end of priorities for the Warriors in what’s sure to be a busy offseason. That includes decisions on veterans Klay Thompson and Chris Paul, while Moody’s fellow third-year lottery pick Jonathan Kuminga is also extension eligible.

Will the Warriors make the playoffs this season? (2024 NBA playoff odds set Golden State as longshot)

The Golden State Warriors have opened up a two-game lead on the Houston Rockets for the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference, but the team is still three games back of the No. 8 seed and five games back of the No. 6 seed with just a few games to play in the regular season.

The Warriors will likely end up in the play-in tournament (oddsmakers have set them at -5000 to be there), which means the team will have to win at least one – and likely multiple – games to earn a playoff spot.

If the Warriors remain in the No. 10 seed – or move up only to No. 9 – they’ll need to win two win-or-go-home games to earn the No. 8 seed in the West.

That’s led to oddsmakers setting the playoff odds for Stephen Curry and company at plus odds – a sign that they aren’t likely to make the final playoff field in the West.

Here’s a look at the Warriors’ playoff odds, and if you should consider betting on them this season:

Golden State is going to be in a tough spot if it lands in the No. 10 seed, as right now it would have to play the Los Angeles Lakers and then the loser of a Phoenix Suns-Sacramento Kings matchup to earn the No. 8 seed.

If there is one thing going in Golden State’s favor, it’s that the team is 22-15 straight up on the road, and as the No. 10 seed, it would play both play-in games on the road – if it can win the first one.

At home, the Warriors are struggling (which is pretty shocking) going 18-19 straight up.

To put Golden State playoff odds in perspective, here’s a look at some other teams in the play-in fight in the West:

So, even though one of these teams will miss the playoffs, oddsmakers have every one of the squads ahead of Golden State in this race favored to make the postseason.

playoffs?

Since every other team is favored to make the playoffs in this race, I do think there is some value to betting on Golden State.

Not only have the Warriors played well against the Lakers (the likely No. 9 seed) this season, going 2-1, but they also have chances to make up ground on Dallas (two games remaining), New Orleans (one game remaining) and Los Angeles (one game remaining) this regular season.

I’m not saying Golden State will win all of those matchups, but one or two wins could thrust the team into a better standing if other teams fall off.

Plus, the Suns (the current No. 8 seed) have the hardest remaining schedule in the league, according to Tankathon, and the Kings (the current No. 7 seed) are fourth in that category.

It’s possible that a losing streak could put one of those teams within striking distance for Golden State to move up a spot.

I wouldn’t count out Steph Curry and the Warriors just yet.

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