SAN FRANCISCO — Minutes before taking the podium in the Bill King Interview at Chase Center, Moses Moody put pen to paper on his three-year, $39 million contract.
It was a moment of validation for the former 14th overall pick. A symbol of recognition. A tangible piece of life-changing money.
“Coming to the NBA, it’s a good thing, but you’ve got to work for it,” Moody, 22, said. You’ve got to make your place here, you’ve got to solidify yourself over your first deal. So being able to do that, even though there’s more to come, but just not getting too forward-thinking and being able to embrace the moment and appreciate it.”
In 181 regular season games, Moody has averaged 5.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game while shooting 36.2% from behind the arc. Despite producing when given opportunities, Moody’s playing time has fluctuated greatly across the past three years.
Even entering this season, Moody is unclear about what his role will be in Golden State’s crowded rotation. The extension didn’t come with any guarantees of playing time; “No, it can’t work that way,” head coach Steve Kerr said.
None of that prevented Moody from committing to the Warriors, and they to him. As Moody said on Monday, actions speak louder than words.
“He’s everything we want in our program, our organization,” Kerr said. “Just the character, the work ethic, the resilience. He’s earned this. And I’m just thrilled for him. And I know how excited he is, as this should be a momentous day in his career. And he’s got a lot of years left, too. So I think this is great for him and great for us.”
Moody could have decided to opt against pursuing a contract extension in hopes that a big year could earn him a bigger deal next summer as a restricted free agent. Instead, he locked in long-term security.
“A lot of that comes from conversations with my agent, Rich (Paul),” Moody said. “And we talked through different scenarios and felt it out. But being able to come to this conclusion, I think, was the best route.”
Moody will play on his $5.8 million deal this season before getting to an average annual value of $13 million over the next three years. That price point is roughly what the non-taxpayer midlevel exception is, which teams typically hand to players they believe can fill a valuable bench role.
Through all the ups and downs of Moody’s role with Golden State, he has never complained. He has stayed true to his principles, flexing the kind of professionalism and maturity the franchise values.
“We obviously want to invest in people,” Kerr said. “In people we believe in. Players obviously have to be talented, they have to fit in with what they do — all that stuff. But ultimately, you’re investing in people you believe in. And Moses is that person. He’s always been very wise, from a young age. From his first year with the team, you could see a very quiet wisdom that his parents clearly bestowed upon him. I’ve just always enjoyed coaching him and being around him. He’s been through the ringer a little bit.”
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Minutes were scarce for Moody as a rookie on the 2022 championship team, along with 2021 draft-classmate Jonathan Kuminga. Last season, he got DNPs in seven games, was inactive for nine more and played fewer than 15 minutes in 21 games.
This offseason, Moody worked to quicken the release of his jump shot and improve the efficiency of his movement. He finished second in the NBA in preseason points, looking much more confident handling the ball and creating his own shots.
Moody said he’s unsure how much his preseason performance factored into the team’s decision to offer him an extension, but it couldn’t have hurt. The team could see the upward trajectory he worked to put himself on.
On brand for Moody, the wing doesn’t have any lavish plans for purchases or celebrations now that he has $39 million of guaranteed money secured. He called his parents back home in Little Rock after agreeing the contract and his teammate, Draymond Green, called shortly thereafter to show love.
“I’m a slow-motion type of dude,” Moody said. “I’m not trying to do too much, too fast. I’ve never had this much money before, and I still don’t technically. But trying to learn about it as I get it, as I grow, learn about financial literacy. Real estate’s something I’ve been interested in. Meet people, hang around people I can talk to and get game from. That’s kind of where I’m at more so than spending it.”
Moody finished his media availability by thanking Kerr, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Lacob family. And just because he doesn’t have any immediate plans to celebrate, that doesn’t mean he won’t.
“I don’t want to take it for granted and move too fast, not be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor,” Moody said. “I’ve got to figure that out.”