Draymond Green with the Warriors is a success story many NBA players dream of. Originally just a second round pick, Green blossomed into not just an NBA starter, but arguably the best defensive player in the league. He’s anchored Golden State’s defense on their way to three titles in four years, and anybody that’s watched the Warriors know that Green is the vocal leader of the team. He gives them their edge.
Green’s importance to the Warriors is why, when his contract comes to an end, it’s impossible to see him anywhere else. He’s just too important to everything they do to let him walk and go elsewhere. That doesn’t mean he has to get a max contract, but Green deserves the money he will eventually get. In a Q&A with The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, Green was asked if he envisions finishing his career with Golden State. His answer was obvious. Of course, he does.
You sound pretty committed to staying with the Warriors.
I am. I want to be here a long time. I want to spend my career here. I am committed to being here.
It’s expected that of the current four stars in Golden State, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Green that at least one of them will have to leave in free agency eventually. Players like Durant have been taking pay cuts to make the salaries work while they dominate the league, but eventually, stars want to get what they deserve. Green is going to ask for what he considers his worth when his next contract comes up and he should get it. The question is more about if Golden State is willing to pay it. They would be crazy not to, but NBA teams can get tight with money, especially when the years start getting long.
This should be an easy decision for everybody though. Green anchors the defense. He has a lot of creative skills on offense. He’s like the perfect modern day power forward. The Warriors see this and have to know that bringing him back is top priority. Of course, it will be interesting to see what happens when the Warriors eventually regress back to a normal team. One that doesn’t win the title every year. A lot of players plan to stay with their current team forever, but then a rebuild happens and plans change. It’s hard to stay in one place forever. It’s cool when it happens, but there’s no guarantee Green will always be in a Warriors uniform like he wants.
