Day 1 of NBA Free Agency kicked off on Friday night, and a number of significant moves have already been made. Perhaps none bigger than a contract extension between the Golden State Warriors and star forward Draymond Green.
Green has been an integral part of the Warriors dynasty, playing for the organization for the entirety of his 11-year NBA career. There were rumors that he might seek other opportunities in free agency if Golden State was unwilling to pay him what he feels that he deserves.
Instead, it looks like the band will be staying together for the foreseeable future in Golden State. ESPN’s Marc Spears broke the news that Green will be returning on a four-year, $100 million extension that will keep him with the Warriors through the 2026-27 season as long as he decides to accept a player option in his final year of the deal.
Free agent forward Draymond Green has agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract with a player option in the final season to re-sign with the Golden State Warriors on the first day of free agency, sources tell ESPN’s Andscape. Green, Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson stay together. pic.twitter.com/0wvfQOspV3
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 30, 2023
Considering Green’s importance to four NBA Championship runs in Golden State, many fans took to social media to voice their happiness about the move.
Draymond Green to the Warrior fans pic.twitter.com/OgCR8v6CfJ
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/GoIdenState/status/1674898025213296642
Draymond Green agreeing to a new $100 million deal with the Warriors
pic.twitter.com/jQwQAPlQbw— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) June 30, 2023
Draymond Green has signed 4-year, $100M contract to stay with Golden State…
Warrior for life 💍💍💍💍 pic.twitter.com/qSw8UjVAsg
— Guru (@DrGuru_) June 30, 2023
Most wins by a player since Draymond entered the league (including playoffs):
1. Draymond Green — 618 wins
Four more years. pic.twitter.com/tjz4lgGgl3
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 30, 2023
The move certainly helps the Warriors as a team for now. However, they are quickly starting to have a cap problem that may rear its ugly head in the future, with a number of aging stars like Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and now Draymond Green on huge contracts.
This move likely indicates that new Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. still believes that this Warriors team can compete for a title next season, and wants to keep the whole Warriors core to do so.
