Heading into the 2022-23 NBA season, the future of Draymond Green’s long-term Warriors was unclear. Playing Jordan Poole in practice last week probably didn’t help his case.
On ESPN’s “First Take” Monday, analyst Stephen A. Smith predicted that Green’s time in the Bay Area is coming to an end.
“Golden State has to re-sign two guys. The three guys looking to re-sign are Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green. I can tell you right now that Wiggins and Poole are the priority of.
“I can tell you right now that Draymond Green expects this to be his last year with the Golden State Warriors.”
Green has two years left on his contract — $25.8 million this season and a player option worth $27.6 million next season — but he can opt out of the 2023-24 contract year and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
“He wants to be a [Los Angeles] Lakers. He won’t tell anyone, but don’t think I don’t know,” Smith said confidently. “If he had to leave Golden State, he’d rather be the Lakers.
“The Warriors probably want him not to opt in because they have to pay him in addition to the cash they know they have to pay Poole and Wiggins.”
Green wasn’t all doom and gloom, though. Smith thinks the Warriors can get some positives out of the unfortunate practice incident.
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“because [the punch], this year, I think is very, very salvageable. Because I think Draymond Green who wants his money knows – especially after this – he has to get out, he has to be at his best, and if he wants a new one, he has to Bringing the game of his life to a contract extension with someone other than the Warriors. “
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