While 10 days have passed since Draymond Green declined his $27.5 million contract option for the 2023–24 season, majority around the league expect the Warriors forward to sign a new deal and return to the franchise after the league’s NBA free agency window opens on Friday.
However, as Green explores options regarding his future, the four-time NBA champion has remained transparent with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. In an upcoming episode of Podcast P with Paul George, Green shared that it was important for him to keep the Splash Brothers in the loop of his thoughts about his future.
“These are guys who like go to war with. These are guys that when we’re done playin’ I’ll still see them, I’ll still keep in contact,” Green said on the podcast. “… I don’t want it to get down to a point to where if I was to leave … that it’s just like wham! Like hey fellas, just FYI, I’m gone. … Or, it come across like your phone and I don’t get a chance to tell you. … I’m in touch with them a couple times a week right now just kinda letting them know my mindset, what I’m thinking, what I’m hearing, ya know.
“… I don’t want it … to come down to that if I’m not offered the offer I think I should get or I’m offered better somewhere else and I like that situation more at this point in time in my life, I don’t want it to come down to like it’s just some abrupt thing and we haven’t talked in weeks.”
“Every step of the way I update them.”
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) June 29, 2023
Draymond Green on how his relationship with Steph & Klay factor into his free agency
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Following the Warriors’ Game 6 loss to the Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals, Green stated that he wanted to remain with the franchise for the rest of his life.
“I wanna ride out with the same dudes I rode in with,” Green said.
However, that has not stopped the rumors that Green could potentially play elsewhere before the next season starts.
On Wednesday, the latest rumors linked Green to play alongside Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard as long as he remains in Rip City. Reports surfaced that the 33-year-old was meeting with Lillard in Portland on Wednesday. However, that report was later shot down by Trail Blazers beat writer Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian.
“According to multiple NBA sources, Draymond Green was NOT in Portland meeting with Damian Lillard regarding coming to the Blazers and all signs point to him returning to Golden State,” Fentress tweeted on Wednesday evening.
Green has been a core player in Golden State’s four championship teams. As free agency begins, if the Warriors seek to remain in contention for another NBA title, re-signing Green is essential.
