NBA Notes: Warriors, Stephen Curry, Blazers, Vit Krejci, Heat

Warriors

The Warriors could have as much as $120 million in salary-cap space next summer, though that number comes with plenty of qualifiers.

As Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron noted, potential extensions for Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski could quickly cut into that projected space.

Curry becomes eligible for an extension Aug. 29. Podziemski can sign a rookie-scale extension, while Butler will be eligible to negotiate a new deal from Feb. 6 through June 30.

If the season goes poorly, Gozlan suggested the Warriors could pivot toward the future and potentially discuss trades involving Butler, Draymond Green or Kristaps Porzingis.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Golden State intends to shop any of them. It does mean the Warriors will have some major decisions to make if their veteran-heavy roster fails to contend.

One player who apparently won’t be going anywhere is Curry.

The Warriors have never considered trading their franchise star, and Curry has no intention of requesting a deal, team sources told Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

Golden State is prepared to offer Curry a maximum extension for either one or two years and allow him to choose the length, Siegel reported. Both sides are motivated to reach an agreement before the season.

So yes, there could be major changes if things go sideways. Curry is not expected to be among them.

Trail Blazers

Vit Krejci earned a $250,000 partial guarantee by remaining on Portland’s roster through Aug. 1, per Hoops Rumors.

Krejci’s full $2.67 million salary will become guaranteed if he remains with the Blazers through their first regular-season game.

Portland acquired the 6-foot-8 guard from the Hawks in February for Duop Reath and two second-round picks. Krejci appeared in just 19 games with the Blazers after dealing with a calf injury, but Portland reportedly remains intrigued by his shooting and defensive potential.

Krejci has made 39.3 percent of his career 3-point attempts.

Meanwhile, the Blazers officially signed Jeremy Sochan to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract.

Sochan will compete for one of Portland’s final roster spots after spending last season with the Spurs and Knicks. He appeared sparingly for New York but walked away with a championship after the Knicks defeated San Antonio in the NBA Finals.

The No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Sochan has averaged 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 228 career games.

Portland is heavy on guards and centers but could use another forward behind Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara. That gives Sochan a legitimate opportunity to make the team.

Heat

Simone Fontecchio received more lucrative offers this summer but chose to remain with Miami.

“My priority was to continue my NBA career,” Fontecchio told Lia Capizzi of the Italian outlet Domani, via Dario Skerletic of Sportando.

Fontecchio said Heat president Pat Riley and coach Erik Spoelstra made it clear they wanted him back, even after he fell out of the rotation.

The 30-year-old believes he can serve as a valuable complementary piece alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.

As for Nikola Jovic, he could be Miami’s swing player next season.

As Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel wrote, Jovic’s four-year, $62.4 million contract currently would be difficult to move. A bounce-back season could change that and restore some of his value on the trade market.

Either way, the Heat will need Jovic to become a more reliable contributor.

If he does, they’ll either have a useful rotation player or a more attractive trade asset. Either outcome would help.