The Golden State Warriors expect power forward Draymond Green to decline his 2023-24 player option to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, according to NBA insider Marc J. Spears of ESPN.
The Warriors promoted Mike Dunleavy Jr. to general manager after Bob Myers stepped down. Golden State is expected to re-sign Green, who averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists this past season.
“The Warriors expect Draymond Green to opt out of the final year of his $26 million contract, I’m being told,” Spears said. “But Joe Lacob, Dunleavy, like the Warriors, they’re going to do everything in their power, if he does as expected, to bring him back.”
According to Anthony Slater and Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Warriors “intend to discuss a new multi-year contract with Green” once free agency starts. Green is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, the superagent who represents Los Angeles Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
“It’s why the Warriors intend to discuss a new multi-year contract with Draymond Green, either via an opt-in and extend or an entirely new deal after an opt-out, sources briefed on the matter tell The Athletic,” Slater and Charania reported. “Green has leverage: He is expected to have multiple playoff-contending teams in pursuit if he enters the open market. But Green and the Warriors appear intent on discussing an extension to their partnership, if the price is right. He just finished his 11th season with the franchise.”
The Warriors have won four championships in the Green-Stephen Curry-Klay Thompson era. Green has career averages of 8.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 758 games with Golden State.
The Dubs lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals in six games. All signs point toward Green being back with the Warriors next season and continuing his partnership with Curry and Thompson.
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