Reports from The Athletic’s Shams Charania indicate that Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green is opting out of his $27.5 million player option for the 2023-24 season and will become a free agent.
Green agent, Rich Paul, said through ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, “We will continue to talk to Golden State and explore all options.”
The 33-year-old has played with the Warriors for the entirety of his 11-year NBA career. Wojnarowski and a report by ESPN’s Marc Spears on “NBA Today” indicate that the franchise expected this to happen and is making every attempt to sign Draymond Green to a new deal.
The forward had a rough season, averaging 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 73 contests. Draymond had a 52.7% field goal and a 30.5% three-point percentage.
Draymond Green’s Altercation Hurts Warriors’ Season, Faces Playoff Suspension
The problems began when Green attacked Jordan Poole, a teammate, and then left the squad to give them time to “heal.” Head coach Steve Kerr said the brawl negatively affected the Warriors’ season after they finished sixth in Western Conference with a 44-38 record and were ousted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference playoffs.
The NBA also announced that Green will be banned for Game 1 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Sacramento Kings “partly because of Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.”
However, when the season was over, Kerr made his expectations for Green’s future quite apparent.
Kerr’s support followed Green’s decision to discuss his opt-out clause and subsequent declaration of his intention to remain with the four-time champions.
Draymond Green and Kerr Aligned: Warriors’ New GM Dunleavy Discusses Contract Details
The goals of Draymond Green and Steve Kerr are congruent. Two weeks ago, the coach appeared on Green’s podcast. During his presentation, Kerr discussed the ingredients for success in assembling a championship squad.
Bob Myers, president and general manager of the Warriors, had a pivotal role in this. Mike Dunleavy Jr. took over as team executive after Myers stepped down last month.
Now that Green’s contract has come up again, it’s Dunleavy’s job to figure out the details. On Monday, the new GM spoke about the Green report with the media during his introductory press conference.
According to reports, Green felt entitled to the maximum deal offered last offseason, which would have paid him $164.2 million over the following five seasons. Draymond Green made $25.8 million in 2022–23, so he may be able to negotiate the contract he had planned for him not to become a free agent.
Dunleavy will have enough to think about as he adjusts to his new role this summer, with Green serving as just one variable for the Warriors.
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