Golden State Warriors: Is Draymond Green even worth a max contract?

Much of the controversy surrounding the Golden State Warriors this offseason has been the situation regarding Draymond Green and his desire for a max contract coming off of his fourth All-Star game and the team’s fourth NBA Championship during his tenure.

While many will undoubtably look at his career accomplishments, it’s not that easy. Nothing ever is unfortunately.

When a team pays a player, it’s for the future, not the past, limiting the amount the Golden State Warriors should pay forward Draymond Green.

Draymond Green is a player who will look more like Andre Iguodala in two years than what he looks like now due to his playstyle demanding a heavy physical toll.

His lack of ability to space the floor on a consistent basis and a plethora of recent injuries, including a disk injury in his back, should be a big red flag for how he will fare in the NBA as he gets closer to retirement.

While he may still be effective, bringing defense and playmaking to a team with the most nuclear offense in the league, he may have his role decreased to a bench player within the next two to three years.

These qualities make Green worth a max to most teams in the NBA as well as most fans, however he is not worth that much to the Warriors team going forward.

This is also what has made Draymond Green a Hall of Fame caliber player after just ten seasons in the NBA.

Those attributes also make him worth bringing back for the defending champs, but only at a much lower price as rookie Jonathan Kuminga has shown many of the qualities that make Draymond Green stand out on the floor as well as potential to be much more.

Draymond Green is likely to become similar to Andre Iguodala as he ages if he stays with the Golden State Warriors.

During the Warriors six trips to the NBA Finals Andre Iguodala has played an important role off the bench as a defensive wing who can add limited offense and elite playmaking.

Sound familiar?

Draymond Green is 32 years old and is hardly better than Andre Iguodala was at that same age, in fact, outside of minutes, assists, and rebounds, there is hardly a difference between their stats.

It’s hard to imagine that anybody, even the biggest Iggy fans, would give Andre Iguodala a $40 million a year even after 2015 championship, including his Finals MVP.

This still does not dampen his impact on the Warriors dynasty that has engulfed the NBA over the last eight years, even without the money.

If the Golden State Warriors are able to handle this situation with Draymond Green, he can still be an incredibly valuable piece for their championship ambitions in a reduced role.