Draymond Green Declines His Player Option, Becomes A Free Agent

By Jordan Long

The Golden State Warriors finished the season at 44-38, earning a playoff spot for the 2nd year in a row.  They were beaten in the 2^nd– round by the L.A. Lakers.  Golden State is looking at how to improve their team to advance even further in the NBA playoffs.  One player they want back is Draymond Green who declined his player option and is now a free agent.

            Green finished his 11th season, all with Golden State.  This past season, Green was their starting power forward.  Green started in 73 games.  In those contests, he scored  8.5 points per game. Green will find his teammates for wide open looks at the basket, dishing out 6.8 assists per game.

He is a better defensive player.  Green plays tight man-to-man defense forcing the player he is guarding to put up a tough shot.  Those are usually misses and a chance for Golden State to rebound the ball to start fast breaks.  Green can also rebound, grabbing 7.2 rebounds a game.

In the postseason, Green appeared in all 12 playoff games for the Warriors, starting 9 of them.  Green averaged 9.4 points, 6.8 assists, and 6.9 rebounds per game. 

Green took his time to decide what he wanted to do.  He wants to opt out of his contract which would have paid him $27.6 million next season.   Green will explore all his options.

 Golden State wants him back. According to ESPN.com, General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said, “We really want Draymond back. What he means in terms of this organization and this team, winning at the highest level, we feel like we have to have him.”

Green is going to take his time to find the right fit. He knows Golden State will be a playoff team in the Western Conference because of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson who are stars in this league. 

It comes down to money. Green could want to be part of it once again.  Sure winning an NBA Championship is the goal but Green has already won 4 of them with Golden State.  At this point, he could be chasing the money.  In the end, Green will do what is best for him.  NBA free agency opens up on June 30th at 6 PM Eastern time.