Can Dallas Mavericks capitalize on Warriors upcoming cap crunch? Will they?

The Dallas Mavericks made a surprising run to the conference finals behind incredible play from superstar Luka Doncic, but the Golden State Warriors were waiting. The Dubs were the better team and it showed as they took Dallas out in five games. Golden State went on to win its fourth championship in the last eight years, but defending the most recent title will not be easy.

The Warriors paid $362 million when adding in their luxury tax penalties for the 2022 championship squad. Being in the repeater tax forces Golden State to make difficult decisions. They let Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., and Nemanja Bjelica sign elsewhere this summer because they knew a situation was on the horizon.

Four key Warriors are extension eligible, and the team’s salary plus luxury tax bill would be over $500 million if they re-sign all four to market value deals. Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole can all ink new contracts, but where does Golden State have to draw the line?

Can Dallas Mavericks capitalize on the Warriors' upcoming cap crunch? Will they?

All four players are under contract next season and Golden State will be looking to make it two straight championships, but who gets an extension before the regular season starts? Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II did a fantastic piece (subscription required) in The Athletic about the decision the Warriors front office faces.

Owner Joe Lacob made it clear that they cannot bring back everyone, so who will the Warriors prioritize? Can the Dallas Mavericks acquire the talent Golden State leaves unprotected? Will they do it? Here is a closer look at what Golden State will likely do before jumping into the Mavs angles.