Draymond Green signs one-year $27.7m deal with Golden State Warriors
Draymond Green has agreed a new one-year contract worth $27.7m to remain with the Golden State Warriors, extending his stay into a 14th season.
The veteran forward’s new agreement does not include a no-trade clause, following negotiations led by Klutch Sports chief executive Rich Paul.
He had previously declined a $27.6m player option earlier this summer in a move designed to create financial flexibility for the franchise.
LeBron James pursuit and trade rumours
That initial contract decision allowed Golden State to aggressively pursue LeBron James, but the four-time NBA champion ultimately opted to join the Philadelphia 76ers.
With their primary free-agency target heading elsewhere, the Western Conference side moved quickly to secure the defensive specialist’s return.
His future in San Francisco had appeared deeply uncertain earlier this year after he was involved in trade discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“There was a second of me at the deadline that felt like, ‘Damn, they really going to do that to me?'”
“But I understand this business probably as good as any player. Like, yo, this is Giannis Antetokounmpo, they are not just about to trade me for a bag of peanuts.”
A changing role under Steve Kerr
The Warriors eventually abandoned their pursuit of the Greek star and declined to revisit those conversations during the off-season.
The four-time All-Star now boasts the second-longest active streak with a single NBA team, trailing only his team-mate Stephen Curry.
Curry is currently preparing to enter an astonishing 18th campaign with the organisation this October.
Despite his production slowly dipping during a campaign where he averaged 27.5 minutes across 68 appearances, the Michigan native remains a crucial rotation piece.
He has even voiced a willingness to transition into a bench role if head coach Steve Kerr deems the tactical adjustment necessary.