Warriors star Draymond Green declined his player option this summer, officially making him an unrestricted free agent. While most fans and insiders expect him to return, there’s a possibility he may not be back in San Francisco next season.
According to Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor, his future is directly tied to LeBron James’ decision. If James doesn’t choose the Warriors, it could convince Green to sign with a different team, especially since the Warriors have tried trading him before.
“Draymond Green, just a few months ago, was involved in trade talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Draymond knows about those talks, the Warriors were forward with him about those talks,” said O’Connor. “Draymond also knows that there’s nothing stopping the Warriors from trading him again six months from now, when he’s eligible to be dealt after re-signing. He hasn’t re-signed yet. Could it be that Draymond is a package deal? If the Warriors acquire Anthony Davis, it’s a package deal with LeBron and Draymond. Is it possible Draymond Green could leave the Warriors if they don’t sign LeBron James and trade for Anthony Davis? It’s not outside the realm of possibility…”
Green, 36, has been with the Warriors for 14 years, serving as the anchor of their defense. For his career, Green (a three-time champion) is averaging 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on 41.8% shooting and 32.6% shooting from three. He played a big role in their four recent championships, and he’s still revered as a hero of the franchise.
Even so, after years of underwhelming play on the court, the Warriors have been pushed to the brink, and not even Green’s job is safe. At 36 years old, he’s never been more expendable, and his future is totally unclear. What we do know is that the Warriors are pursuing LeBron James, and his arrival may be what convinces Draymond to re-sign on a team-friendly deal.
With LeBron James (even at 41), the Warriors could be competitive as long as Steph Curry and Kristaps Porzingis stay healthy. With a few moves around the edges, they could easily push for a top six spot in the standings next season. Of course, this pipe dream depends on Anthony Davis’ arrival, and that’s bad news for the Warriors.
The last we heard, Anthony Davis is not available, and the Wizards just shut down all trade talks. Unless something changes, that means the Warriors won’t have a way to lure LeBon, putting them at a major disadvantage against their peers in the West.
For Green, what would be the point in returning to a mediocre team that might trade him anyway? As much as he loves and appreciates Stephen Curry, he would be better off in a more competitive situation, where he can play a bigger role on a title-contending team. The Warriors, as presently constructed, are not that right now, but they are actively looking to improve their standing. The most obvious path is to trade for Anthony Davis, which might also secure commitments from both LeBron and Dray. Of course, pulling that off is much easier said than done, and it’s why this process could take some time to fully play out.
