Despite heading towards free agency, oddsmakers still consider it likely that Draymond Green will return to the Golden State Warriors, the only team he has played for in his 11-year NBA career.
Green's agent confirmed on Monday that he will decline his player option for the 2023-24 season, choosing to enter free agency after winning four NBA titles with the Warriors.
As a result, the Warriors remain the favored team (-150) at DraftKings for Green to begin the next season with. However, if Green decides to leave, the Los Angeles Lakers have the next shortest odds at +550, followed by the Dallas Mavericks at +800. Joining the Lakers would give Green the opportunity to team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, while the Mavericks could be an attractive option if Kyrie Irving returns to play alongside Luka Doncic.
Interestingly, the Phoenix Suns, who are reportedly acquiring Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards, are also offered at +1100 to sign Green.
In the 2022-23 season, Green averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 73 games with the Warriors. Throughout his career, he has maintained averages of 8.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in 758 games since being drafted by the Warriors in 2012.
Green's impact on the Warriors goes beyond statistics, as he has been a crucial part of the team's success alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and head coach Steve Kerr. Together, they won NBA championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
During the introductory press conference for new general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., the Warriors expressed their strong desire to retain Green.
The Warriors, like many other teams, are preparing for the challenges posed by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which will introduce stricter penalties for teams operating above the luxury tax threshold. However, Dunleavy expressed confidence in the team's ability to navigate these challenges, citing their competitive owner, cohesive group, and sound decision-making processes.
In the previous season, the Warriors were eliminated by the Lakers in the second round of the playoffs. Green received a one-game suspension during the first-round series against the Sacramento Kings for stomping on the chest of center Domantas Sabonis. With a history of on-court incidents, including technical fouls, ejections, and previous suspensions, Green's future destination remains uncertain.
The Kings are considered longshots (+3000) at DraftKings to be Green's next NBA team. It's worth noting that during the preseason in October, Green was fined by the Warriors for punching teammate Jordan Poole during practice, although the amount of the fine was undisclosed.
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