Draymond Green has agreed to a new one-year contract worth $27.7 million to remain with the Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal comes after Green declined his $27.6 million player option earlier in the offseason, a move that initially raised questions about his future with the franchise.
Green’s new contract does not include a no-trade clause, allowing the Warriors to retain one of the longest-serving players in franchise history while maintaining future roster flexibility, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN.
Green’s decision to opt out of his previous deal also gave Golden State additional financial flexibility as the organisation explored ways to strengthen its roster. The Warriors were among the teams linked to LeBron James before the four-time NBA champion ultimately chose to join the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 35-year-old will now enter his 15th NBA season, extending the second-longest active tenure with a single franchise behind only teammate Stephen Curry, who is preparing for his 18th campaign with Golden State.
Despite remaining a key part of the Warriors’ plans, Green admitted earlier this year that hearing his name in trade discussions wasn’t easy. The four-time NBA champion was reportedly included in conversations surrounding a potential deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline.
“I’m a human being,” Green told ESPN in March. “There was a second of me [at the deadline] that felt like, ‘Damn, they really going to do that to me?’ [But] I understand this business probably [as] good as any player. Like, yo, this is Giannis Antetokounmpo. They not just about to trade me for a bag of peanuts.”
Ultimately, no deal for Antetokounmpo materialised, and Golden State never revisited those discussions this summer.
Green remains an important piece of Steve Kerr’s rotation despite his evolving role. He averaged 27.5 minutes across 68 games last season and has already made it clear he is willing to adapt if necessary.
“He has voiced willingness to move into a bench role if that is what head coach Steve Kerr ultimately decides is necessary,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
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