The Golden State Warriors made Draymond Green’s new one-year, $27.7 million contract official on Thursday, closing the book on a saga that began when he walked away from nearly identical money in June.

On paper, Green ends up exactly where he started. The salary matches the player option he declined before free agency, and he will spend a 15th season with the only franchise he has ever played for, extending one of the most historic legacies in the NBA.

How LeBron changed the landscape for Green

None of this happens without the pursuit that defined Golden State’s offseason. Green declined his option in June for one reason: clearing the flexibility the Warriors needed to chase James in free agency.

Had James chosen the Bay, the plan was for Green to return on a three-year, $60 million contract. James instead signed with the Philadelphia 76ers last week, ending a pursuit that had consumed the franchise for a month. With all of that concluded, both sides returned to complete the agreement with Green that ultimately came to fruition.

Is Draymond worth the investment?

Based on legacy alone, many support this decision. Green is now set to play his 15th season with the Warriors. If he plays in 51 games, he will join Stephen Curry as the only players in franchise history to appear in at least 1,000 contests.

Green, who won the Kia Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2016-17, has made nine All-Defensive teams and four All-Star teams in his NBA career. He has only played for the Warriors since being drafted No. 35 in the 2012 Draft and was an integral part of Golden State’s four championship teams.

Last season, Green averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 41.8% overall and 32.6% on 3-pointers. The Warriors went 37-45 last season and reached the SoFi Play-In Tournament, but missed the playoffs after losing to the Phoenix Suns in the Play-In.

“Draymond Green has agreed to return to the Golden State Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million deal, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. The contract is the same Green opted out of to give the Warriors flexibility to pursue LeBron James, but the sides land his return Tuesday,” the insider revealed on X.

Trying to bring LeBron to the Bay meant that some of the Warriors’ core players would have to make a team-friendly deal. Ultimately, James decided to take his talents to Philadelphia, prompting Green to resume negotiations with the Warriors.

Although Green’s new deal is worth significantly less than what Stephen Curry could earn with the Warriors, the franchise has secured one of its longtime leaders. The Bay Area team will now rely on the veteran forward as it looks to compete for another NBA championship.

Green chasing his fifth NBA Championship

By returning to Golden State on a new deal, Draymond Green is locking in his commitment to the Warriors’ dynasty and setting his sights on a fifth NBA championship. Having already anchored Golden State’s defense for their title runs in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, Green remains the fiery heart and vocal leader of the squad.

Securing one more ring would not only solidify his Hall of Fame credentials, but it would also cement his era alongside Stephen Curry as one of the most decorated core groups in basketball history.

How could Steve Kerr’s team line up next season?

Steve Kerr will remain with the Warriors for two more years, LeBron James has moved to the Eastern Conference, and Golden State managed to retain one of its franchise cornerstones. Now, the biggest question is what the team’s starting lineup will look like next season.

Although it’s still too early to know exactly what Kerr will put on the court, and much will depend on the strategy he chooses, this could be an intriguing option for the Warriors’ starting lineup:

• Stephen Curry – PG
• Brandin Podziemski – SG
• Jimmy Butler – SF
• Draymond Green – PF
• Kristaps Porzingis – C

According to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon and David Aldridge, Green’s decision to decline his player option last month was connected to Golden State’s attempt to create financial flexibility for a possible run at James. The Warriors are now expected to re-sign Green to roughly the same dollar amount — nearly $28 million — of the player’s option he declined last month, the report stated.

The move allows Golden State to maintain continuity around Stephen Curry, who recently confirmed LeBron James joining the Warriors was possible, after James ultimately chose to sign a two‑year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, ending speculation about a potential partnership between two of the NBA’s biggest stars.

Why are the Warriors bringing back Draymond Green?

Green’s return represents a shift in direction after Golden State’s plans for a major roster move failed to materialize. The veteran forward had previously declined his player option to give the organization additional flexibility during its pursuit of James.

The Warriors also explored potential scenarios that could have involved roster changes, including a possible trade centered around Jimmy Butler and Anthony Davis if James had decided to join the team. Those possibilities never developed, leaving Golden State focused on keeping one of its longest-tenured players.

What does Draymond Green’s return mean for Golden State?

At 36 years old, Green remains one of the defining figures of the Warriors’ recent success. The four-time NBA champion and former Defensive Player of the Year continues to provide elite defensive versatility, leadership and playmaking alongside Curry.

Although Golden State missed the opportunity to add another superstar, bringing back Green preserves the foundation of a team still built around Curry. The Warriors can now turn their attention toward additional roster decisions ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season while maintaining one of the most experienced cores in the league.

While the move officially makes Green a free agent, Charania’s report indicate it is a strategic play designed to give the Warriors the financial flexibility necessary to launch an aggressive, blockbuster offseason pursuit of both LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

“Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is declining his $27.7 million player option to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN. This move gives the Warriors flexibility to pursue LeBron James in free agency and Anthony Davis via trade to form a Big 4,“ Charania reported on X.

The Warriors have dominated NBA headlines as they look to aggressively retool their roster for another championship run. With James and Davis now firmly on Golden State’s radar following Charania’s report, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch across the league to see if the front office can actually pull off a landscape-shifting summer.

On the heels of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s recent blockbuster trade from the Bucks to the Heat, the Warriors are poised to send further shockwaves through the league if they can successfully orchestrate the arrivals of both James and Davis to pair with Stephen Curry.

Projecting the Warriors’ potential new-look lineup

With the potential end of a historic era looming, the Warriors could look entirely different by opening night. Assuming Golden State trades Jimmy Butler, here is how a potential veteran “Big 4” lineup could look in the Bay Area with LeBron included:

• PG: Stephen Curry
• SG: Brandin Podziemski
• SF: LeBron James
• PF: Draymond Green
• C: Anthony Davis

What about Jimmy Butler?

To make the math work on a potential Davis trade, the Warriors would almost assuredly have to part ways with Jimmy Butler. Butler, who is nearly four months removed from ACL surgery, carries an expiring $56.8 million salary that serves as the perfect match for Davis’ $58.4 million figure.

While the Warriors initially planned to keep Butler as a cornerstone for the upcoming season, the sudden opportunity to acquire both James and Davis completely rewrites the front office’s blueprint.

“I double down on this. Just like Becky Hammon said, prove me wrong. Getting out of the East has never been a sure fire thing to winning a championship. What you all talking about? You’re supposed to get out of the East. It’s the East. Of course you’re supposed to get out of the East.”

One of the key talking points heading into the NBA Finals is that New York didn’t face the same level of competition compared to the West. The Knicks defeated Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland on their way to the 2026 Finals, while the San Antonio Spurs survived a brutal path that included Portland, Minnesota and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Can the Knicks win the 2026 NBA Finals?

The New York Knicks enter the NBA Finals as underdogs, but they have a very real chance of defeating the Spurs. They are currently the hottest team in the NBA, riding an 11-game playoff winning streak while dominating several competitive rosters, particularly in their series against the Cavaliers, who were led by Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.

Knicks vs Spurs head-to-head

During the 2025-26 season, the Knicks posted a 2-1 record against the Spurs. Their only loss came in December during a 134-132 thriller. That track record should give New York confidence heading into the series and is one of the reasons many believe the Knicks have a legitimate chance to pull off the upset.

During a recent segment on ESPN’s Inside the NBA, Green delivered a blunt assessment of the Cavaliers‘ current playoff deficit. “Nobody from Cleveland is stepping up. There’s no leadership. Who’s walking in that locker room saying what you have to do and what we need to do?” Draymond asked.

The leadership void is especially glaring despite efforts from veteran stars like James Harden to keep the faith alive after Cleveland fell behind the Knicks 0-3 in the series. Harden leadership hasn’t translated into on-court results, prompting Charles Barkley to suggest that a legendary figure might be the only one capable of righting the ship.

Who is the player Barkley wants in Cleveland?

Barkley didn’t hesitate to reveal who could solve the Cavaliers’ identity crisis. “Well I got an answer for that question. That’d be LeBron James,” Barkley declared, suggesting that the franchise requires the unique gravity and postseason experience that only James could provide.

The idea of bringing back an older player to stabilize a young core could become a hot topic, especially as Stephen A. Smith calls for LeBron James‘ return after Cleveland’s playoff disaster. While some critics argue that the Cavaliers should focus on their future, Smith and Barkley seem to agree that the current roster’s lack of accountability can only be fixed by a veteran.

Without a significant change in leadership or a miraculous shift in Game 4, the Cavaliers face the grim reality of an early exit and a summer full of difficult questions. If Cleveland cannot find an internal voice to rally the squad, their chances of returning to championship contention will remain slim.

According to Marc J. Spears, Green told Inside the NBA that he did not see himself in another uniform, but the franchise also had to feel the same way. What he made clear was that he wanted to stay and that if the Warriors were fair and wanted him, he would work fairly to remain with the organization.

It should be remembered that the star forward had the option to exercise his $27.6 million player option to stay in Golden State. If he declined his player option, Green would become an unrestricted free agent. The former Defensive Player of the Year had never hinted that he wanted to leave the Warriors. And if he stayed in the Bay Area, he would likely retire as a member of the Warriors.

Green updated Kerr’s situation

Draymond Green previously said on his podcast that he believed Steve Kerr would not return as head coach. Green changed his tune on Wednesday. During the same appearance, Green said he now believed Kerr would be back.

“I think and hope he’s coming back,” Green said. “I don’t know more than anyone else in the world knows outside of what I do know is he wants to coach.” The Warriors’ brain trust and Kerr had reportedly met twice during the offseason. The fact that those meetings were taking place and there had not been reports of major friction suggested he would return.

Green recognized Kerr’s impact on him

Green stood by his criticism that Kerr hindered his offensive game, but he also reiterated that Kerr had done a lot for him as a player and person. And with good reason, considering they spent an entire era together in the franchise and won four NBA championships.

“I think every basketball player in the world has some gripe that they wish their coach would have done,” Green said. “… But make no mistake about it, I also said all of the incredible things, how much of a better man he’s made me.”

Green was a much more feared offensive player during the 2015-16 season, when he averaged 14.0 points and shot 38.8% from three-point range. Since then, he rarely came close to those numbers again. It was impossible to determine who carried the most responsibility for that decline, but regardless, Stephen Curry, Green, and Kerr led the Warriors to four NBA championships thanks to their chemistry. That was what mattered most.

“I hope he’s our coach next year. You want my opinion? I think not… it felt like that was it,” Green admitted on the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show. Those words have sent shockwaves through the Bay Area, fueling fears that a historic era is nearing its end.

The current climate in Golden State is a far cry from the heights of the last decade. Despite an incredible tenure that includes four NBA championships and six Finals appearances, the architect of the Warriors‘ dynasty appears increasingly likely to part ways with the franchise.

Kerr recently delivered a poignant message to Stephen Curry and Green, hinting that the “Big Three” era may have finally run its course. Now, the organization faces the daunting prospect of searching for a new leader to navigate the next chapter of Warriors basketball.

Kerr’s lifeline to Draymond Green

In the high-stakes world of the NBA, there are moments when even the most seasoned veterans contemplate walking away. Green revealed that he reached that breaking point multiple times during a tumultuous season, only to be pulled back from the edge by his head coach.

“There were several times this year where I thought about quitting, and each time, he’d just say the right thing to relight that fire and make you want to go again,” Green shared, highlighting the deep psychological bond between the two.

A legacy defined: Kerr’s Golden State resume

Regardless of how the coming weeks unfold, Kerr’s 12-year run in the Bay Area remains unmatched in the modern era. He didn’t just win; he served as the architect of the greatest shooting revolution in basketball history, forever changing how the game is played at every level.

Here is a look at the Hall of Fame-caliber numbers Kerr has compiled during his time with the Warriors:

Head coach Steve Kerr was caught on camera speaking to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green with a message that sounded deeply personal: “I don’t know what’s gonna happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you. I appreciate you.” It didn’t feel like routine postgame emotion. It felt like reflection, maybe even closure.

For years, this trio helped build one of the most iconic dynasties in NBA history, winning four championships and redefining how the game is played. But time has slowly caught up. Attempts to refresh the roster under general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., including bets on younger players like Jonathan Kuminga, haven’t delivered the expected leap. This season, everything unraveled further with a key injury to Jimmy Butler, leaving the team without enough firepower to sustain a real run.

End of an era for the Warriors?

There’s no easy way to frame it, but the signs are there. Steph Curry, now 38, remains elite, yet the margin for error is thinner than ever. Even if he returns next season, the window is no longer wide open for a championship as the Western Conference is loaded.

Draymond Green’s situation adds another layer of uncertainty. Entering the final year of his contract, his name has already surfaced in trade conversations. A move involving him would not just be a roster adjustment. It would be a symbolic shift away from everything this team once represented.

Maybe Kerr’s words were just emotion in the moment. Or maybe they were something more. A recognition that what this group built together is no longer guaranteed to continue. Either way, it felt different. And sometimes, those small moments say everything.

Power forward Draymond Green addressed concerns from fans about the team potentially bringing Curry back just days before the play-in tournament. “There’s a lot of fear growing that Steph Curry might not have enough runway for the play-in game… I don’t think Steph’s getting shut down for the season… If Steph is capable of playing, he’s gonna play,” said Green, per The Draymond Green Show on X.

The Warriors had been trying and failing to weather the storm with Curry sidelined due to injury, falling to four games below .500 after a recent loss against the San Antonio Spurs. The positive news was that Curry was expected to return to the lineup that weekend when the Warriors took the floor against the Houston Rockets.

Difficult moments for the Warriors

The Warriors need to climb at least a few spots to improve their play-in positioning. They are likely to win two straight elimination games to secure a playoff matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which is far from ideal for a 38-year-old Curry who had not played in two months while recovering from a knee issue.

However, as Green pointed out, the team would not have brought Curry back or risked his long-term health unless they had felt he was ready to play.

The Warriors sat in tenth place in the Western Conference and are projected to face the Portland Trail Blazers on the road in the play-in if the standings hold. In the meantime, they are set to return to action Thursday night in a challenging home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

What did Curry say about his return?

Curry had provided updates on his condition, and there was significant attention surrounding his timeline. He made it clear that nothing was certain and that he did not know how his knee would respond, suggesting he was not fully ready.

“It felt great. I’m checking the boxes,” Curry told reporters after the session. “But with this, it’s always unpredictable. I don’t know how the knee will respond because it hasn’t responded well in past attempts to get to this 5 on 5 level.” Curry had been sidelined for two months, dealing with a setback in a season marked by injuries.

“I hated it… and I absolutely loved it,” Green said of Wembanyama’s public MVP pitch. “I hated it because a player of that caliber should never have to vocalize his own case just to get the media to open their eyes. Until he said it, nobody in the mainstream was factoring in that he is literally defending entire teams by himself.”

Green noted that while he resented the necessity of the statement, he admired the Frenchman’s boldness in calling out the pundits. “He basically told the world, ‘If you’re not looking at what I’m doing on defense, you’re not watching the game,’“ Warriors‘ star added.

Wembanyama has centered his MVP campaign on his defensive dominance, arguing that the game is 50% defense, a philosophy he has backed up with historic rim protection throughout the regular season.

League elites take notice

Green isn’t the only heavyweight Weighing in on “Wemby-mania.” Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic offered a daunting premonition about the San Antonio Spurs’ phenom.

“He is changing basketball,” Jokic admitted. “I’m glad that I’ll probably retire before Wemby holds the entire league in a chokehold.”

Meanwhile, former NBA player Rashad McCants took it a step further, planting his flag firmly in the rookie’s camp. “Wembanyama is the CLEAR MVP over Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander],” McCants stated, echoing the growing sentiment that Wembanyama’s two-way impact outweighs traditional scoring-first candidates.

A historic defensive stretch for Wemby

Wembanyama isn’t just talking the talk; he’s erasing shots at a record-shattering pace. Over his last 10 outings, the Spurs’ center is averaging a staggering 26.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG, and 3.7 BPG.

His most recent masterclass came on March 25 against Memphis, where he stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, 15 rebounds, 7 blocks, and 3 steals in a 98–85 San Antonio victory.