Draymond Green declined his $27.6 million player option on Monday, signaling that the Golden State Warriors may be preparing for a series of blockbuster moves. According to ESPN, the Warriors needed financial flexibility to pursue free agent LeBron James and complete a trade for Anthony Davis with the Washington Wizards.
Green's Decision Opens Door for Major Acquisitions
Green reportedly indicated to the Warriors that he would be willing to negotiate a new deal at a lower salary for next season if it allows the team to add crucial pieces to the roster. Green, James, and Davis share the same agent, Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, which could facilitate negotiations.
ESPN reports that James would take a pay cut to play for the Warriors. He played last season on the final year of a two-year, $101 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Only the Lakers could sign him to a deal in that salary range, but the Warriors could offer him a $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception. However, money is unlikely to be the driving factor: James has earned $581 million in salary alone, per Spotrac, and has a net worth of approximately $1.4 billion from endorsements and business ventures.
Curry-James Rivalry Could Become Teammates
James and Stephen Curry, who battled in four consecutive NBA finals from 2015 to 2018, have grown closer in recent years. Joining forces with Green and Davis would give the Warriors a quartet with a combined 13 NBA championships, 48 All-Star selections, and 68 seasons of experience. The average age of Curry (38), Green (36), James (41), and Davis (33) is 37, which would make the Warriors one of the oldest teams in the league.
The Lakers had the oldest roster in the 2025-26 season with an average age of 30, while the Warriors were second-oldest at 28.6. To balance salaries, the Warriors would likely need to trade 36-year-old Jimmy Butler to the Wizards as part of the deal. However, ESPN reported that Butler has been informed the team prefers to retain him.
Financial and Strategic Implications
Green's option decline gives the Warriors more cap space to maneuver. If the deals go through, Golden State could field a starting lineup featuring Curry, James, Davis, and Green, with Butler potentially staying or being moved. The moves would reshape the NBA landscape and give the Warriors a formidable championship contender.
