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The Golden State Warriors are actively plotting the ultimate offseason heist, and Draymond Green may be the first chess piece to move. On Monday morning, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Draymond Green is officially declining his $27.7 million player option for the 2026-27 season, making the 36-year-old an unrestricted free agent just 24 hours before the negotiating window officially opens. For Warriors fans, there's much more to see here than what's at the surface level.
However, for other teams, this may be seen as an opportunity to take a swing at a veteran who could make a significant impact. Regardless, it's going to take some serious convincing to get Green out of Golden State, and it seems as though the opt-out is a maneuver to open up some cap flexibility for the team to make a run at the duo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
However, until there's pen to paper, Green will technically be on the open market, so kick around some ideas on potential teams who could swoop in. But even still, we'll preface this by stating the obvious: The massive favorite here is for Green to return to the Warriors on a deal that allows Golden State to make an additional move or two, but it never hurts to play the hypothetical game.
The San Antonio Spurs would be a very interesting starting point to the conversation, even if it is a long shot that Green doesn't return to the Warriors. What better veteran presence to work alongside Victor Wembanyama and a talented group on the rise who'll remain among the favorites to return to the NBA Finals next season?
After all, if you truly want a "Wemby enforcer" of sorts, Green could fit the billing, as he's never shied away from ensuring his longtime teammate Steph Curry doesn't take one too many questionable hits on the floor.
The wild part of all of this is that it's certainly not a done deal that LeBron is on his way to the Warriors for a reunion with Davis and to team up with Curry. So, what about a world where James actually does return to the Los Angeles Lakers?
Rob Pelinka would almost certainly love to add Green to the team's front-line depth, and we know the defensive standout has been close with James for a long time. I'd still call this unlikely, as James' future remains up in the air and, by the day, it seems less and less likely that he'll return to Los Angeles, but why not throw the hypothetical out there?
If you want to really toss a bold pick into the mix, let's talk about the Boston Celtics. There appear to be imminent changes coming, with Jaylen Brown's future up in the air. Obviously, Green's free agency wouldn't have a ton to do with Brown, more than likely, but if the pieces come together and a Brown deal happens, who knows how the Celtics' roster could look at the end of the day?
If Brad Stevens and company add a few strong pieces alongside Jayson Tatum, the idea of Green being in the mix to bolster the front court is enticing.
As fun as the ideas are to kick around, let's still remember that option No. 1, above all the rest, is going to remain the Warriors. And from the sound of things, the hope is that Green's return to the Bay Area comes with a trio of Curry, Davis and LeBron.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Draymond Green free agency: 3 sleeper teams who could steal the Warriors star
Continue reading...
However, for other teams, this may be seen as an opportunity to take a swing at a veteran who could make a significant impact. Regardless, it's going to take some serious convincing to get Green out of Golden State, and it seems as though the opt-out is a maneuver to open up some cap flexibility for the team to make a run at the duo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
However, until there's pen to paper, Green will technically be on the open market, so kick around some ideas on potential teams who could swoop in. But even still, we'll preface this by stating the obvious: The massive favorite here is for Green to return to the Warriors on a deal that allows Golden State to make an additional move or two, but it never hurts to play the hypothetical game.
Spurs headline 3 sleepers who make sense as a Draymond Green free agency fit
The San Antonio Spurs would be a very interesting starting point to the conversation, even if it is a long shot that Green doesn't return to the Warriors. What better veteran presence to work alongside Victor Wembanyama and a talented group on the rise who'll remain among the favorites to return to the NBA Finals next season?
After all, if you truly want a "Wemby enforcer" of sorts, Green could fit the billing, as he's never shied away from ensuring his longtime teammate Steph Curry doesn't take one too many questionable hits on the floor.
Los Angeles Lakers
The wild part of all of this is that it's certainly not a done deal that LeBron is on his way to the Warriors for a reunion with Davis and to team up with Curry. So, what about a world where James actually does return to the Los Angeles Lakers?
Rob Pelinka would almost certainly love to add Green to the team's front-line depth, and we know the defensive standout has been close with James for a long time. I'd still call this unlikely, as James' future remains up in the air and, by the day, it seems less and less likely that he'll return to Los Angeles, but why not throw the hypothetical out there?
Boston Celtics
If you want to really toss a bold pick into the mix, let's talk about the Boston Celtics. There appear to be imminent changes coming, with Jaylen Brown's future up in the air. Obviously, Green's free agency wouldn't have a ton to do with Brown, more than likely, but if the pieces come together and a Brown deal happens, who knows how the Celtics' roster could look at the end of the day?
If Brad Stevens and company add a few strong pieces alongside Jayson Tatum, the idea of Green being in the mix to bolster the front court is enticing.
As fun as the ideas are to kick around, let's still remember that option No. 1, above all the rest, is going to remain the Warriors. And from the sound of things, the hope is that Green's return to the Bay Area comes with a trio of Curry, Davis and LeBron.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Draymond Green free agency: 3 sleeper teams who could steal the Warriors star
Continue reading...
