NBA : Draymond Green’s gamble didnt work, but the Warriors did not forget the favour
LeBron James will never wear a Golden State jersey after all. Even so, Draymond Green did not come out of this empty-handed. A few weeks after walking away from his final year to give his franchise more breathing room, the 36-year-old big man has got back exactly the money he gave up. It says plenty about the strange bond between the Warriors and one of the faces of their dynasty.
At the time, Green knew a financial sacrifice might help land his longtime friend. It never happened. James ended up choosing Philadelphia instead. Once that door shut, Golden State did not try to take advantage and quickly struck a deal to give Green back the $27.7 million from his old contract.
A deal that rewards the player and the leader
This new contract does more than pad Draymond Green’s bank balance. It also underlines the standing he still has inside the organisation. Fifteen seasons after arriving in California, Draymond Green, former Defensive Player of the Year remains one of the central voices in the locker room and a key outlet for Stephen Curry on the floor.
By rewarding a player who put the group ahead of himself, the Warriors are also sending a message to the rest of the roster. Even when a big move falls apart, promises made behind closed doors still get kept.
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Golden State is already looking ahead to summer 2027
This extension does not, however, erase the limits of the roster. With this payroll, the Warriors are still boxed in on the market and have very little wiggle room to strengthen the rotation before the season starts. The front office appears willing to live with that for now, and wait for a better opening.
Next summer could shake things up, with several important contracts coming to an end. By keeping Green and putting the bigger changes off until later, Golden State is choosing stability for one more year, before what could be its last serious attempt to build a team that can carry Stephen Curry through the back end of his career.
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