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Golden State Warriors: Hollinger projects win-win outcome in Draymond Green’s free agency

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in game five of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 10, 2023 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in game five of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 10, 2023 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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As well as finding a suitable replacement for Bob Myers, and the pending NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, the Golden State Warriors’ current priority surrounds the future of future Hall-of-Famer Draymond Green.

The former Defensive Player of the Year has a $27.6 million player option for next season, but could opt out to become an unrestricted free agent. That could provide a path for Green to leave the Warriors after a decorated 11-year career at the franchise.

Draymond Green remains likely to opt out of his player option and extend at the Golden State Warriors on a multi-year deal.

Warrior fans shouldn’t fret if Green does opt out to become an unrestricted free agent, with the The Athletic’s Senior NBA Columnist John Hollinger projecting that the 33-year-old will sign a new longer-term deal with the franchise.

"Given the Warriors’ horrific luxury-tax situation for 2023-24, one wonders if their best strategy would be for Green to opt out but re-sign for three years (matching his contract length to Steph Curry’s) at a lower annual number — say, three years for $75 million. Is there more money than that out there for him in the open market? I’m skeptical, but it only takes one. Prediction: Opt out and extend”, Hollinger wrote."

Draymond Green remains likely to re-sign at the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)
Draymond Green remains likely to re-sign at the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images) /

A three-year, $75 million contract, as Hollinger projects, would be a win-win outcome for both player and franchise in this scenario. Green will be quite right in wanting to secure more long-term money. Sure, he could opt in and take the risk, but even an All-Star level season in 2023-24 is unlikely to garner much more than $25 million annually.

It’s much more likely that he shows a slight and understandable sign of slowing down, and therefore commands something near or under $20 million, than it is producing a season that all of a sudden catapults him back to a $30+ million player at 34-years-old.

Do the Warriors want to be paying Green $25 million in 2025-26 when he’s 36 years of age? Of course they would prefer it to be slightly less, but that number feels like an effective one where both parties give a bit to reach an agreement.

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While the difference between $25 million and $27.6 million (2.6 million) is hardly an exorbitant amount in the world of NBA player salaries, the savings in associated luxury tax would provide significant relief to a Golden State franchise projected for a record-breaking payroll next season.

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