For now, Draymond Green wants to play his entire career with the Warriors and ride out into the sunset with his guys Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. But Draymond knows as well as anybody that the NBA’s a business, as his looming $27.6 million player option is a big topic of discussion.
Shortly after the Warriors were eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round on Friday, Anthony Slater of The Athletic co-authored a report saying Golden State intends to discuss a multiyear extension with Green.
On Tuesday, Slater joined 95.7 The Game’s “The Morning Roast” to give his thoughts the Draymond situation.
“The day Draymond Green walks out the door for nothing – let’s just say he declines his player option and signs wherever, name your team, Detroit, Portland, Phoenix – they’re further away from a title,” Slater told hosts Bonta Hill and Joe Shasky. “I actually think they’re outta contention without Draymond Green on the roster.”
If the Warriors want to keep the whole gang together next year, owner Joe Lacob might have to be willing to pick up a $500 million tab. Considering the Warriors’ early exit this year and the aging trio of Green (33), Curry (35) and Thompson (33), there’s a lot of big decisions to make.
Draymond has an inimitable chemistry with the Splash Brothers built up over a decade-plus as teammates. He’s a central figure in the four title runs, as everyone knows. But many point to his emotional temperament as a detractor, as his preseason punch of Jordan Poole is often viewed as tainting the 2022-23 season from the start.
Still, Slater thinks Draymond is worth it.
“Obviously, Draymond Green comes with side effects, whatever you wanna call it, that boiled over in preseason,” Slater said. “I think too much now, people are looking back and trying to tell the story of season through the one preseason punch. It did have an effect on the team. But you know what would have a massive effect on next year’s team? Just losing Draymond Green for nothing.”
