Draymond Green reportedly declining player option with Warriors, will enter free agency
Draymond Green, one of the most beloved Spartans of the Tom Izzo era at Michigan State, might soon be playing in a new NBA city.
The NBA champion and longtime heartbeat of the Golden State Warriors reportedly plans to decline his player option for the 2023-24 season and enter unrestricted free agency. The move was expected from Green, who is turning down $27.5 million to seek a long-term deal on the open market. The Athletic’s Shams Charania had the news first.
Golden State Warriors four-time NBA champion Draymond Green is declining his $27.5 million player option for 2023-24 season and will enter unrestricted free agency, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 19, 2023
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Warriors are “motivated” to sign Green to a new deal to keep him with the franchise that drafted him back in 2012. But with Green opting out of his deal, he’ll be able to explore sign-and-trades and talk with other teams in free agency.
The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists for the Warriors last season. He shot a career-best 52.7% from the floor.
Green has spent his entire 11-year career in the Bay with the Warriors. He’s a 4-time NBA champion, a 4-time All-Star, an 8-time All-Defensive Team selection, and the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year. He was selected in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft with the 35th overall pick.
At Michigan State, Green was a consensus All-American and the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2011-12.
Green’s agent told ESPN they “will continue to talk to Golden State and explore all options.”