Draymond Green is heading towards free agency, but oddsmakers still believe he’ll ultimately return to the only team has played for in his 11-year NBA career.
Green’s agent told multiple outlets on Monday that his client will decline his player option for 2023-24, turning down a $27.6 million salary to enter free agency after winning four NBA titles in 11 seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
“We will continue to talk to Golden State and explore all options,” Green’s agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, told ESPN.
That was enough to keep the Warriors as the -150 favorite at DraftKings to be the team the 33-year-old Green begins next season playing for.
If he does leave the Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers have the shortest odds to lure him away at +550, followed by the Dallas Mavericks at +800. With the Lakers, Green could potentially team with superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, while Dallas could also be attractive if Kyrie Irving returns to pair with Luka Doncic.
The Phoenix Suns, who are reportedly acquiring Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards, are being offered at +1100 by the book to also sign Green.
The four-time All-Star averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 73 games (all starts) with Golden State in 2022-23.
Green has career averages of 8.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 758 games (608 starts) since the Warriors drafted him in the second round out of Michigan State in 2012. He was voted the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2016-17.
Along with All-Star teammates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and head coach Steve Kerr, Green won NBA titles in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022.
The Warriors held an introductory press conference for new general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. later Monday. Dunleavy was promoted to the GM role after Bob Myers stepped down in late May.
“I think Steve has said it, and I’ll reiterate: We really want Draymond back,” Dunleavy said. “What he means to this organization, this team, in terms of trying to win at the highest level, we feel like we have to have him. That’s very important.”
The Warriors are one of many teams bracing for the new CBA, which will introduce higher penalties for operating above the luxury tax.
“I think a lot can be made of all the challenges coming our way, whether it be an aging roster, a new CBA with some of the limitations there, anything else you can bring up,” Dunleavy said. “We’re aware of all those things, but we also think we’re in a great place because we’ve got a competitive owner willing to spend and a group that’s really tied in, that’s got good synergy, good processes, good sound decision making.
“We feel confident we can navigate it.”
The Warriors were eliminated by the Lakers in the second round of the playoffs this season. The NBA suspended Green for one game in the first-round series against Sacramento after he stomped on the chest of Kings center Domantas Sabonis.
Announcing that suspension, the NBA said Green’s history as a repeat offender contributed to the suspension. His history of transgressions includes 162 career technical fouls, 17 ejections and now four suspensions.
The Kings are +3000 longshots at DraftKings to be Green’s next NBA destination.
During the preseason last October, the Warriors fined Green an undisclosed amount for punching teammate Jordan Poole in practice.
–Field Level Media
