Having opted out of his $27.6 million player option for next season, Draymond Green will enter unrestricted free agency where there’s a possibility he could depart the Golden State Warriors after 11 memorable years.
It remains likely that the 33-year-old and the Warriors will reunite on a longer multi-year deal, yet it’s undoubtedly a cautious situation that new General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. will have to navigate in his first few weeks in the role.
Draymond Green will have leverage in free agency contract negotiations with Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Golden State Warriors’ front office.
Dunleavy reiterated the importance of retaining Green in Monday’s introductory press conference, a sentiment shared by head coach Steve Kerr earlier in the month. But with a growing, historically large payroll, the main question is at what price Golden State can keep him at.
According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater on the latest episode of the Warriors Plus-Minus podcast, the fact Green has opted out over a week before the deadline could indicate external interest in the former Defensive Player of the Year.
"“June 29th is still a ways away. It hints to me that he believes there’s a market out there for him – at or near $27 million. He believes he has ammo for leverage, and now the next few weeks is the Warriors and him finding a reasonable price point that they’re both okay with”, Slater said."
External interest from rival teams may be his biggest leverage, but it won’t be the only element he and his management point to in negotiations. For starters, as arguably the Warriors second-best/consistent player in 2022-23, he’s still performing like someone who deserves $25+ million.
Golden State have been adamant about their desire to remain in championship contention, something they won’t be in should Green depart. He can utilize that too, along with the fact the franchise can’t replace him with anymore than a minimum-level player.
From Dunleavy and the front office’s standpoint, their biggest leverage may be calling Green’s bluff. You can go and get $30 million per season from another team? Fine, go and play in the rebuilding situations of Houston or Detroit.
These will be smart basketball minds in dialogue though who each want to remain in partnership, and Joe Lacob’s an owner who’s clearly shown a willingness to ultimately spend big. All signs still point to both parties coming to an agreement once free agency hits.