Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green has been snubbed from All-NBA Defensive honors announced on Friday, with the result potentially proving a major hit to the 36-year-old's free agency leverage if he opts out of his contract this offseason.
Green has a $27.6 million player option for next season, but he may have to opt out and re-negotiate a new deal with the Warriors if he truly wants to solidify his future with the franchise.
Draymond Green could lose major leverage with All-Defensive snub
Green had been named to the All-Defensive First or Second Team in nine of the past 11 seasons before this year, having consistently been one of the league's best on that end and arguably the most versatile defender of his generation.
However, the 4x All-Star clearly saw a decline this season as he enters the latter stages of his career, with that now proven in his absence from this year's All-Defensive Teams. Green was still the only Warrior to receive votes, finishing with 40 total points which ranked 13th among all players and which saw him narrowly miss out on the Second Team.
A global media panel of 100 voters selected the 2025-26 Kia NBA All-Defensive Team.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 22, 2026
The complete voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/nzi2CGhq3T
Green is still capable of being one of the best defenders in the league, having proven that during Golden State's stunning comeback victory over the L.A. Clippers in the fourth-quarter of the Play-In Tournament where he completely shut down 2x Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
Yet there's no doubt this absence is further proof that he can no longer sustain the defensive excellence on an ultra-consistent basis, and therefore could be something the Warriors and rival teams potentially point to if he enters free agency.
Draymond Green may need to take major pay cut to stick with Warriors
Given his real limitations offensively, Green's value remains almost primarily at the defensive end of the floor. But if he's no longer an All-NBA level defender, that doesn't say much for what he could be worth on his next contract at this point of his career.
Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Golden State front office have to acknowledge that and understand it's impossible to see rival teams offering more than $15 million per year, particularly after Friday's All-Defensive snub.
Green could just alternatively take the money and opt into his $27.6 million, but he'd know that would instantly make him a trade candidate and likely lead to his departure from the Warriors in the next eight months.
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