While there are rumors saying Draymond Green may turn down a contract extension from Golden State Warriors as he could be an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season, NBA executive weighs on the consequences if he chooses to opt out and seeks another team.
With such a situation, Green is eligible to opt out of the deal in 2023 and move out to another team for a new challenge. The veteran’s forward is reportedly asking for a four-year max deal with the Warriors.
Green said that he was not after the money. Chris Haynes from ESPN once wrote that Green took a discount on his last contract in 2015. This was to allow the Warriors the flexibility to chase Kevin Durant in free agency the following summer and sign a five-year, $82 million deal.
“I think my max was $96 million,” Green said.
“That money is not changing my neighborhood. It’s probably $6 million after taxes and fees. It’s not changing my neighborhood, but championships can. Championships can change my life. So it’s about what’s important to you.”
Green added that his focus has always been to win more titles with the Warriors. He mentioned that it is not his intention to throw the fireball now to the team and please him with some contract situation.
“I don’t focus on that because as much as I looked out for the team’s success, that still helps me in a sense of winning a championship and building a legacy that lives on forever,” he told Haynes.
“I don’t look at it like it’s their turn to do me right. If I continue to play my game, if I continue to do better, they got to do me right, or somebody else will.”
Golden State's Draymond Green has become first Warriors star in dynasty to receive player option on a long-term deal, with ability to opt out of four-year, $100M extension in 2023, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 5, 2019
He said that he was happy about his achievement with the Warriors. Green won four NBA titles and four times made it to the All-Star team. He has only played for the Warriors in the NBA since being picked as the No. 35 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
“I did what I did because I wanted to win championships, so that’s paid off so far,” he added. “Everything else will take care of itself when it’s time.”
Maintaining level
On the other hand, Heavy’s Sean Deveney noted that one of the NBA’s executives told him that there aren’t many teams that could provide what Green wants from his contract with the top bid.
“With Draymond, there are not a lot of teams out there that would give him the max,” the executive said.
“You can’t. He’s really got to fit your other personnel and the Warriors fit him really well, on both sides.”
Deveney added that it is up to Green as he has to maintain his level if he plays for another team in the NBA. He said that the question is now on Green’s ability to play at the same level as he has done with the Warriors.
“For what it’s worth, the exec did say that Draymond Green should be able to keep up the same level of play in the next few years,” Deveney said. “The only concern is if he can be as impactful as he was with the Warriors should he choose to join another team.
“But what he does, he should be able to do that for them for most of another contract,” the exec explained.
“He will be 33 next summer, you can get two or three years out of him — it’s not like what he does is all about athleticism. As long as he can move on defense, keep playing at that level, keep picking you apart with his passing, he’ll play up to what they’re paying him.”