Winner: Draymond Green
Draymond Green does not have the kind of body that will age well, so the idea of him making between $25 and $30 million dollars in his age 36 season is amazing. Add in that the final season is a player option, and it’s the cherry on top. $100 million fully guaranteed is a massive boon and an excellent piece of negotiation by Green and his representation.
Winner: Stephen Curry
Draymond Green and Stephen Curry have special chemistry on the court, the kind of chemistry you build not overnight but through hundreds of games together. Green can identify exactly where Curry will be cutting and sprinting around the court, getting him the ball right in the shooting pocket. Curry wants to go out with his guys in Dray and Klay, and now he and Green are matched up for another three seasons at least.
Winner: Joe Lacob
Draymond Green opted out of a $27.6 million player option to sign his new contract, and that new deal will start at just $22.3 million. That difference will add up to $43 million in tax savings for the Warriors this season due to how heavily into the repeater tax they are. That new deal saves team owner Joe Lacob a lot of money.
Winner: Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have been to the NBA Finals six times and won four titles with Draymond Green. He is one of the greatest defensive players in the history of the NBA, and was still among the very best defenders last year. However Green ages, and however volatile he can be, this is a partnership that has borne a tremendous amount of fruit.