One of the long-time stewards in the Bay Area could be making a major sacrifice to give his team one last shot.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is set to decline his $27.7 million player option for the 2026-27 season and will become an unrestricted free agent, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Monday.
The move offers the Warriors the financial flexibility to pursue LeBron James in free agency and Anthony Davis in the trade market, per Charania. By opting out, the Warriors can offer a free agent $15 million with their mid-level exception.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, this may be an indication that Green is "willing to take a pay cut."
Green, 36, has spent the entirety of his decorated 14-year career with the Warriors, winning four titles and earning nine all-defensive team nods.
Never a player whose impact shows up entirely on the box score, Green has served as the team's do-it-all defensive presence since being drafted in the second round in 2012.
He averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists last season while shooting 41.8 per cent from the field and 32.6 per cent from three-point range.
The Warriors missed the post-season last year after finishing 37-45, good for 10th in the Western Conference. They were subsequently eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the play-in tournament.
