Draymond Green has two years left on his contract with the Golden State Warriors. He is making $25.8 million this season and has a player option for $27.6 million in 2023-24.
After that, free agency looms.
Between his summertime drama with Jordan Poole and his objectively declining play, it is clear that the Warriors will not pay Green the sort of big money he likely hopes for.
During a recent conversation with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report, Green seemed to confirm that he knows his time in Golden State is coming to an end.
“No, [it’s not hard],” he said.
“Quite frankly, the writing is on the wall. I understand the business. We tend to get into this mindset of someone owes us something because of what we’ve accomplished. You’d be an idiot to walk around feeling that way.
“I feel like you’re setting yourself up for failure. You’re setting yourself up for heartbreak. You’re setting yourself up for disappointment. As opposed to saying, ‘No, let me learn this business.’ If you don’t get to know the business, then you can be blindsided.”
Green has undeniably been an instrumental part of the Warriors dynasty that has won four championships over the past decade.
That said, he is no longer the player that he once was. And there is a fair case to be made that the headaches he now causes aren’t justified by his on-the-court production.
All empires come to an end eventually, and Golden State will be no exception.
Will Green be the first domino to drop when that squad gets broken up? It is increasingly looking like it.
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