Draymond Green, who has played for the Golden State Warriors his entire career, could be wearing a different team jersey next season.
The forward has declined his player option for next season and will become an unrestricted free agent. Green decided to decline his $27.6 million player option for next season, according to a report Monday. Green, who has been with the Warriors for 11 seasons, could return to the Warriors, according to his agent Rich Paul.
“We will continue to talk to Golden State and explore all options,” Paul told ESPN.
The Warriors want to re-sign Green, who has been an important player during the team’s run of success, which includes six trips to the NBA Finals and four NBA titles since 2015. Green’s decision to opt out places immediate pressure on Mike Dunleavy Jr., who was introduced as the team’s new general manager just hours after Green’s decision became public.
“We really want Draymond back,” Dunleavy told reporters at his introductory news conference Monday. “What he means in terms of this organization and this team, winning at the highest level, we feel like we have to have him. So that’s very important.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said retaining Green is critical to the team’s success going forward.
“If Draymond’s not back, we’re not a championship contender,” Kerr told reporters following the Warriors’ second-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. “We know that. He’s that important to winning, to who we are. I absolutely want him back.”
The Warriors expected Green would decline the player option.
The Warriors assumed Green would decline the option after they did not offer a maximum contract to the forward prior to the 2022-23 season. Green wanted a max deal that would pay him $164.2 million over five years. He could be looking for a similar type deal as a free agent.
The issue for the Warriors is their payroll. Had Green opted in, the Warriors were staring at nearly $500 million in salary and luxury tax for the upcoming season and they are looking to cut salary costs. They have reportedly informed guard Klay Thompson, who enters the final year of his contract next season, to expect a pay cut to remain with the team. Green may have to take a pay cut as well if he wants to stay with the team.
If Green doesn’t return to the Warriors, what team would be interested in a 33-year-old player with limited offensive skills, who is strong defensively – Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time selection to the All-Defensive Team – and carries a volatile temperament.
The Portland Trail Blazers are mentioned in one report, saying a “win-now” franchise like the Blazers are looking to add pieces around star guard Damian Lillard.
“One win-now team to keep an eye on for Green is the Portland Trail Blazers, as Damian Lillard has long been an admirer of his game. Making a sign-and-trade would be complicated because of the hard cap doing so imposes, but for the time being, Portland appears focused on putting a winner around Lillard instead of trading him and rebuilding.”