Draymond Green Is Now A Free Agent: Three Possible Destinations If He Leaves The Warriors
The future of the Golden State Warriors dynasty hinges on Draymond Green’s 2023 free agency decision.
Image credit: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images
According to ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Draymond Green has declined his player option for the 2024 season, which means he is now an unrestricted free agent. Though it’s likely he remains in the Bay Area, there have been various rumors suggesting Green may seek a larger contract somewhere else. However, Green has stated his intent to remain a Warrior on many occasions, and there’s definitely more validity to that than any speculative reports. Even though Green wants to stay, the Warriors are in an extremely precarious financial situation in which Green probably won’t get a max contract. If the Warriors give Green a max, their payroll with tax implications could be well over $500 million, a threshold owner Joe Lacob is hesitant to exceed. Given the uncertainty surrounding this situation, we must look at what the best landing spots for Green would be if he leaves the Warriors. As much as it would pain me to see Green depart (as a Warriors fan), we have to consider it a possibility, especially if the Warriors don’t offer him the payday he’s seeking.
Dallas Mavericks
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Luka Doncic and Draymond Green seem like they’d be a great complementary duo. Green fills all the holes on this Mavericks roster with his all-time defensive and playmaking abilities, while Doncic can continue his offensive dominance as one of the best young players in NBA history. The Mavericks lost a crucial wing defender in Dorian Finney-Smith when they traded for Kyrie Irving, so Green is the perfect player to get their defense back on track. Green’s championship experience and leadership also give the Mavericks an important locker room presence and a veteran that can mentor their young players, like Josh Green and Jaden Hardy. The Mavericks would probably be the best basketball fit for Draymond Green outside of the Warriors, but it’s unclear how the Mavericks would acquire him because they’ll have no cap space once they resign Irving. A sign-and-trade would likely be the best move in this situation, but the Warriors’ cap predicament may prevent that from happening. Given that the Mavericks won’t have any outright money to sign Green, this free-agency shakeup probably won’t occur. I like the basketball fit with Luka Doncic, but the financial fit poses a major dilemma for both the Warriors and the Mavericks in a potential sign-and-trade.
Los Angeles Lakers
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I put the Lakers on this list because of Green’s relationship with LeBron James. The basketball fit in LA is relatively questionable with James, Green, and Anthony Davis on the court together since all three players aren’t the most efficient shooters. However, there’s no doubt the championship experience and leadership of Green would elevate this roster. The issue would be the floor spacing around Green, James, and Davis, but that’s why resigning Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura have to be the Lakers’ top priorities, no matter how they shape out the rest of their roster. Additionally, if you have Green, James, and Davis all on max contracts, building out a roster with veteran-minimum players presents a tricky situation. Still, it’s hard to see the Lakers working out a sign-and-trade or offering Green a max to pry him out of San Francisco, so Green to the Lakers is highly unlikely. I can’t speak for Green, but I imagine he’d take a discount with the Warriors before considering the Lakers as a possible destination.
Detroit Pistons
Image credit: Pistons Talk via NBA Central twitter
Besides being Green’s hometown team, the Pistons might be a really good basketball fit. Green’s mentorship would be invaluable to Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivy, and the Pistons would need a veteran with championship experience like Green to accelerate their rebuild. The Pistons could also offer Green a four-year max contract, something Green reportedly was looking for last year. The Warriors may be reluctant to give Green a full max, but the Pistons have all the financial flexibility to do so with cap space for at least one max contract player. The downside for Green in this situation is that the Pistons may not be in championship contention for two-to-three more seasons, and given Green’s age, he probably doesn’t have much of an appetite for a rebuild. It’s a fun scenario to think about, Green leading a young, exciting Pistons squad, but Green is looking to win championships, and the Pistons aren’t in a position to do that just yet.
Warriors or the Field?
Draymond Green will likely remain a Warrior for the rest of his career, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Yes, there will always be rumors because of Green’s friendship with LeBron James and his hometown connection to the Detroit Pistons, but Green said on his podcast that he wants to stay with the “same guys I rode in with.” Without Green, the Warriors would not win more championships and would have little hope of continuing their dynasty dominance. He anchors their whole defense and orchestrates an offense that maximizes Stephen Curry’s all-time greatness. Green’s best option is to stay with the Warriors because it’s the best on-court fit, and he likely opted out of his current contract to guarantee a final long-term contract before retiring. I’m confident he will get a three or four-year deal where he’ll make a $25 million annual salary similar to what he made this past season. Draymond Green is a Warrior for life.
