Draymond Green declines Warriors contract extension and hits NBA free agency
The Golden State Warriors are set to lose Draymond Green to free agency after the veteran decline his player option for the 2023-24 season.
Green has been with the Warriors ever since being drafted in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft, but will seek a new franchise. Klutch's Rich Paul confirmed to ESPN that Green had opted against his player option, stating: "We will continue to talk to Golden State and explore all options.".
It was likely that Green would opt out of his $27.5 million year extension, and now the NBA player will negotiate a new deal. That could either be under new terms with the Warriors, or he could trade elsewhere.
Green was the 35th overall pick in the 2012 draft, and has been part of a dominant Warriors roster alongside the likes of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and even Kevin Durant briefly. Green is now 33, and keen to explore his options as he heads towards the end of his NBA career.
The power forward remains a key member of the Warriors roster, and if they fail to re-sign him then they would need to shop for a high-profile replacement. The Warriors couldn't defend their NBA title last season, but recently Green seemed keen on running it back.
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In May, Green said in an episode of The Draymond Green Show: "I was talking to Klay as we were sitting at the table last night. Ty, Klay, Steph, and myself, just like how important and big of a summer this is. Like, how locked in we need to be.
Green has been with the Warriors his entire NBA career (Getty)"No, I don't think this is it. I'll say it right here for you, this isn't it. We plan on doing this again. That's the plan, obviously, this is a business and things has to take place."
Thompson wasn't at his best last season, and the Warriors lost in six games against the Los Angeles Lakers during the playoffs. But Green was adamant that Thompson was keen as the big three planned on a comeback season.
"But we plan on doing this again," Green added. "And the first thing [Klay] said was, 'Hell yeah, I still want to be an All-Star again, I still want to win multiple championships again.' To still have those conversations 11 years later, that's why we win. That's why we'll win again."
Green averaged 8.5 points per game last season, an increase on the previous year and also his best total since the 2017-18 campaign. His assist and rebound stats were slightly lower than last season, but his all-round game improved.
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