The Golden State Warriors will hit NBA free agency next month with two key players to try and re-sign — veteran and future Hall-of-Famer Draymond Green, along with valuable rotation guard Donte DiVincenzo.
Both have player options for next season — Green for $27.6 million and DiVincenzo for $4.7 million. The duo are each likely to opt out and become unrestricted free agents, though their likely futures at the Warriors are very different
Donte DiVincenzo’s form in 2022-23 is likely to price him out of the Golden State Warriors’ budget, meaning he’ll depart the franchise after just one season.
Green is expected to opt out and sign a longer-term deal with Golden State in free agency, but it’s a different story for DiVincenzo who clearly has a smaller bind to the franchise and is at a different point in his career.
On Tuesday, The Athletic’s John Hollinger delved into projections for every player around the league with an option for next season. In discussing DiVincenzo, he left no doubts about his future with Golden State.
"“DiVincenzo rehabbed his free-agent value as a productive sixth man on a playoff team and now is likely to have offers for the mid-level exception or more awaiting him. He assuredly will opt out of his below-market deal and seek greener pastures. Prediction: Opt out.”"
DiVincenzo averaged over 26 minutes per game during the regular season, putting up 9.4 points 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during the regular season. Those numbers, along with the fact he shot a very healthy 39.7% from three-point range, are far beyond the general expectation of a player on less than $5 million.
At 26-years-old, DiVincenzo will rightly be on the lookout for a payday. Although more limited opportunity in the postseason mightn’t have helped his valuation, one would think he’ll still attract offers at least double that of his player option.
With no bird rights to be able to match any such offers, Golden State will be limited to giving DiVincenzo 120% of his 2022-23 salary — that equates to about $5.4 million. He may love the Bay and love the Warriors, but it’s hard to see DiVincenzo turning down far greater offers.
The fifth-year guard started in 36 games for the Warriors during the regular season, performing well in the absence of Andrew Wiggins. Perhaps DiVincenzo could procure a starting role with a younger team, an aspect Golden State can’t provide to go with the financial element.