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Warriors: Does Draymond Green deserve a max extension?

By Griffin Gamble

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the first quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 05, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the first quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 05, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors money issues have been well publicized this offseason. Unfortunately, there seem to be more issues looming. After losing Otto Porter Jr and Gary Payton II, the Warriors were able to avoid a massive luxury tax hit.

The luxury tax has been the topic of the offseason for the Warriors’ and even got Joe Lacob fined $500k. Now, the reports are that 32-year-old Draymond Green wants a 4-year contract extension.

The Golden State Warriors are in a sticky situation, and the contract extension discussions with Draymond Green could make or break next season.

Draymond even went on to say he would explore other options if the Warriors don’t want to pay him. So, a huge question must be answered: is Draymond Green worth $164 million over the next five years?

An answer to this question may not be as simple as we once thought. Draymond is coming off of a below-average NBA Finals performance, according to his standards.

Draymond appeared in just 46 games this season and averaged 7.5PPG, 7.3RPG, and 7.0APG, on 52/29/55 shooting splits. In the Finals this year, those numbers dropped to 6.2PPG, 8.0RPG, and 6.2APG on an abysmal 33.3/12.5/58 percent shooting splits.

However, I think that both Draymond and the Warriors would look bad without one another. Draymond thrives in the Warriors system, and at times especially on the defensive end, Draymond is the system.

If you are a Warriors fan or even a basketball fan in general, you know Draymond Green’s major impact is never seen in the box score.

He is the best defender in the NBA and has been almost his entire career. Even with his struggles in the Finals, he bounced back in major ways and made an impact on the Warriors’ 4th ring. The problem isn’t about Draymond’s play but more so money for the rest of the team.

Four major players of the Warriors’ core all need to feel compensated. After Andrew Wiggins’ performance in the playoffs, he is now a vital piece to this championship core. This comes with some serious money issues.

If all four are compensated how they like, in 2023-2024 a total bill of salary and luxury tax would be around $564 million. Lacob has gone on the record saying that even $400 million would be too steep for him.

As always, enjoy this next season as much as possible Dubs fans. Considering that they are all under contract for the 2022-2023 season, after that who knows what will happen. We could see two out of the four gone after this next season.

Next. Top 30 Golden State Warriors players in franchise history. dark

This will be a story throughout the entire season and I hope to see one of the four take a pay cut to keep this core alive and chase rings. For more Warriors-related content follow me on Twitter! Or, check out all our excellent writers at Blue Man Hoop.

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