Green enters his 15th NBA season with the franchise at 36 years old, placing him at the center of Golden State’s plans to transform the squad compared to last year. “This is going to be an interesting year, a transition year of sorts. And we’re going to do some things differently,” Kerr recently said regarding Green during an appearance on the Tom Tolbert Show.

“He and Steph obviously have this great rapport. We’re not going to take away from that, but he’s going to have to adapt a little bit, and it’s probably going to be a little frustrating at times. So, I’m going to need his patience, too. I’m going to just say that publicly because now, in reverse, he will read that or hear that and know that privately, that’s really what I’m telling him.”

Green remains just as important

Green will always serve as an emotional and vocal leader for the Warriors. His drive and passion have propelled the organization to conquer four championships over the past decade, and Kerr is the first to admit that without Draymond, the Warriors would not be who they are today.

“I will say forever — we don’t have a single championship without him,” Kerr said. “The guy is that impactful on winning.” Green is back with the Warriors on a new one-year, $27.6 million contract after initially opting out of his player option for the same amount.

How Kerr plans to utilize Green

While everyone agrees that Green remains a vital part of the team’s chances at success, his decision-making on the floor needs to improve. That is precisely where Kerr will look for a new version of the veteran forward.

“We have to cut back on the turnovers. I want him shooting the three, and when he’s open when he shoots the three, he may not be a super high percentage shooter, but possessions are good for us when he shoots because, number one, it’s worth three. Number two, we get offensive rebounds. Number three, there’s a flow to the game that has to happen that someone’s open, and they shoot it,” Kerr explained.

“He knows there’s going to be some changes, and he’s always going to be himself. There’s going to be good and bad that comes with that, and we’re okay with that.”

Green reacted to the NBA punishment handed down on the Clippers during The Draymond Green Show. “Five first-round picks — that is, including the picks that the Clippers just picked up in a trade from Cleveland with Darius Garland and James Harden. That includes all of the assets that they’ve acquired. If I’m not mistaken, it includes some of the picks from the Zubac trade as well,” Green said.

“That’s where the hammer is dropped. It’s crippling for a franchise — for an organization. Especially a franchise that just went through a six-to-seven-year period of thinking they’re right there with the possibility of winning.”

The Clippers will suffer the consequences

Green focused heavily on the long-term fallout for the franchise, pointing out everything they had built up to this point and everything they lost due to these poor decisions. He recognized that the Clippers will likely go through one of the hardest periods in their history for a long time.

“And now, you’re in a space where you have to reset — just got a top-5 pick in Keaton Wagler. And all of a sudden, you have to do that with losing five first-round draft picks. It may stick the Clippers in purgatory for a long time to come.”

Green believes the added pressure left in the wake of Leonard‘s no-show endorsement deal leaves the Clippers and their players in a tough position ahead of the 2026-27 season.

“It makes you think what certain players like Darius Garland — how are they going to look at being in this place now? A coach like Ty Lue, how does he look at being in this place now? It’s going to dampen the vibe around the Clippers,” Green added.

Green was asked to name the most impactful signing on the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” and went with James without much hesitation. “I think LeBron,” Green said. “Just with his championship experience, his leadership on a team that hasn’t been able to get over the hump, I think that makes it a very impactful and interesting signing for Philly.”

James took forever to make his free-agency decision and ultimately signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers with a player option for the second year. Even if you disagree that this is the most impactful signing, this is the best-value contract in the NBA.

LeBron James’ production and impact for the 76ers

Even at 41 years old, James maintains elite-level production. James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025-26. The 41-year-old remains an incredibly impactful player.

As Green mentioned, James, a four-time NBA champion, is also going to a franchise that hasn’t tasted success for a very long time. The 76ers won their last NBA title in 1983, and last made the NBA Finals in 2001. That was also the last time the franchise reached the Eastern Conference Finals.

Postseason heartbreak has been the norm for the 76ers, and James believes he can help make the squad a championship team. The 22-time All-Star will have plenty of help, of course.

James is joining forces with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and another new addition in Jaylen Brown. With four All-Stars on its roster, the 76ers squad is most certainly a superteam. Brown also has championship pedigree, having won it all with the Boston Celtics in 2024. There is a lot to like with the 76ers, and if the group clicks, the rest of the NBA is in trouble.

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: