The biggest talk around the Golden State Warriors lately has been Draymond Green’s contract. Shortly after LeBron James announced that he would be signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Warriors re-signed Green for one year and $27.7 million.
For some fans, this was seen as an overpay, but the reality is very simple: Green was always going to get that deal, unless James joined the Dubs. Green had the opportunity to opt into a one-year deal that would pay him that same figure, but chose to opt out to allow the Warriors maximum flexibility as they chased the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. There was, without question, an understanding and a handshake that the Warriors would allow Green to recoup all that money should James sign elsewhere, barring another move that Draymond signed off on.
But there was one part that some people found a little more surprising. Green did not negotiate for a no-trade clause when he re-signed, but does receive a 15% trade kicker, which. means he’ll receive roughly $4.2 million should the Warriors trade him at any point during the season. Both the trade kicker and the lack of a no-trade clause were in the previous deal that the four-time All-Star opted out of.
Anyone who knows Green is probably not surprised by this. And on his popular podcast and YouTube show, The Draymond Green Show, the defensive star explained himself:
“I think it was something that we could have fought over, but it wasn’t worth fighting over,” Green said, as transcribed by NBC Sports Bay Area. “I think if the Warriors want to trade me at some point in the season, they want to trade me. I’ve never been a guy who wants to stay somewhere where I’m not wanted.”
That makes perfect sense, and it’s very in line with how Green has approached these things in the past. He’s made it abundantly clear that he wants to be a Warrior for the rest of his career, but only if he’s actually wanted.
Barring a superstar becoming available, it is almost a guarantee that the Warriors won’t trade Green this year. He’ll enter free agency next offseason, and likely re-sign on a more modest deal that aligns with Steph Curry’s future.
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