Bob Myers' Impending Decision Is More Than Material

After a tumultuous season for Golden State, ending disappointingly with a second-round playoff exit, there are many questions regarding the organization's future direction that must be answered  in the most crucial off-season in franchise history to date. As eventful as much of a roller-coaster the 2022-2023 calendar was for the Warriors, this offseason might be just as eventful as when the team played actual basketball games.  

Will Draymond Green exercise his player option or test free agency? Will Klay Thompson get a contract extension? Will Jordan Poole be traded to another team? There are a lot of questions  surrounding the organization, but the first question that needs to be addressed is the future of General Manager Bob Myers. 

There have been multiple reports within the last week that Myers and the Warriors have not had negotiations for months regarding his contract. His contract ends on June 30th of this year.  

Per the Athletic Senior lead NBA insider Shams Charania, “The Warriors have not presented an offer that has blown Myers away, but there’s also a growing sense that even a competitive offer market — near the top of the executive food chain — may not keep Myers with the franchise.”  

He is weighing his options, and it seems like his decision will be based on aspects that are more than money and basketball given reports that the Warriors have no offered to make him a lucrative offer. With his track record constructing a team that has won four  championships within the last ten years, there is no doubt he deserves to be the highest-paid front office executive in the Association… But that may not be enough to persuade him to stay with Golden State. 

“Bob is such an important part of our organization, not only as one of the faces of the organization out there in the NBA world, meeting with other executives and agents, representing us, but also with his relationships with our players. He’s got such credibility with our guys. Bob and I have a great friendship and working relationship, and I want him back,” Warriors head  coach Steve Kerr during his exit interview.  

Being a general manager of a successful professional franchise takes a hefty toll on a person in physical, mental, and spiritual ways. When you bring the family aspect into the scenario, it adds a whole different level of difficulty. Not many front-office executives, general managers, and presidents of basketball operations have a significant presence and influence in and around their organization as much as Myers does.

NBA GMs must master an intense work-life balance. There’s a financial aspect, a basketball  aspect, and there’s also a personal aspect. It’s a rigorous job spotlighted and criticized with every  loss and every failed move, especially during the social media era. Regarding specific contract negotiations, especially for people as successful as Myers, there are times where no amount of money, power, or responsibility will be enough to sway their decision. 

The question with his contract situation is, does he want to stay with the team and focus most of his time, energy, and effort on basketball and to try to win championships, or does he take some  time off to spend with his family? 

“If Myers chooses to leave, it will be because heed needs a break and wants to spend more time with his family before tackling his next challenge,” per a report from NBA Correspondent Marc Stein.  

The report also hinted towards Myers not returning to the NBA at all: If he chooses to leave, it very well could be because he is too close to the Warriors’ pillars, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Steve Kerr to where decisions about the team’s future may be something he doesn’t want to be responsible for.

The most crucial offseason up to date in the Warriors organization's history will be determined by many  moves and changes to their roster. Still, the most critical move that will be made is whether or  not the architect of the Dubs dynasty will stay or look for a different challenge. Once Myers decides, the other big-time moves, like Draymond Green’s contract situation, will be resolved, and the offseason will be in full swing.

(Photo credit: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)