Draymond Green has made it clear he wants to stay with the Golden State Warriors, despite uncertainty about his future. His comments came after the Warriors’ 111-96 season-ending loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Green’s Contract and Options
Green has a player option close to $28 million for the final year of a four-year $100 million deal he signed in 2023. He suggested this is only part of the equation for next season.
Green’s salary could be packaged over the summer as part of a larger deal, depending on whether he picks up the option. When asked specifically about the future, Green admitted he was unsure.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I’m not retiring from basketball, though. I still love to play and I think I’m still pretty decent. But this league we’re in, it’s an interesting one. And it’s one that you don’t really control everything, so for me, I hope I’ve done enough to still be here. Because at the end of the day, if I ain’t done enough I don’t want to be here.”
Green’s Performance and Value
Green struggled to find consistency throughout the season, particularly on the offensive end. He averaged just 8.4 points a game, his lowest output since 2021-22.
He noticeably struggled without Stephen Curry when the veteran guard was forced to miss over two months because of a runner’s knee injury. Still, Green showed durability throughout the season, and his defensive prowess shone brightly at various points.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr repeatedly said during the season that he believed Green was the best defensive player he had ever seen. Another option for Green would be to decline the option but negotiate a multiple-year extension at a lesser yearly rate, giving the Warriors more salary cap flexibility.
A Desire to Remain with the Warriors
Green has spoken openly about how proud he is of the standard he has helped the Warriors create alongside Curry and former teammate, Klay Thompson. He and Kerr spoke during the season about how they wanted Green to finish his career with the Warriors.
“If the question is where do I wanna be?” Green said. “I think it’s pretty obvious, guys, where the hell I’m going. If they want me here, I’ll be right here.”
Green, who has risen from a second-round draft pick in 2012, has helped the Warriors earn four NBA championships. Green acknowledged that he wasn’t exactly sure what his future held in the Bay after 14 seasons.
Green and Kerr spoke during the season about how they wanted Green to finish his career with the Warriors. But for the first time in his career, Green knew