There have been rumors for months about what Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green would do with his contract.
Will he exercise his $27.7 million player option or decline it to sign a multi-year deal with Golden State?
What he chooses could have a direct impact on the Warriors’ pursuit of LeBron James.
Why the latest report is bad news for LeBron’s pursuit
ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported Friday that Green “will likely agree to his contract.” The deadline for registration is June 29.
Here’s an update on what the Warriors’ salary obligations would look like if Green exercises his player option:
Stephen Curry: $62.6 million
Jimmy Butler: $56.8 million
Draymond Green: $27.7 million.
Moses Moody: $12.5 million.
Al Horford: $6.8 million.
Yaksel Lendeborg: $6.1 million.
Brandin Pod Ziemiya: $5.7 million.
Guy Santos: $4.6 million.
Will Richard: $2.2 million
These nine players account for approximately $185 million.
If the Warriors were to give LeBron James the full $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, their payroll would be around $200 million.
Using the NTMLE, they would have a hard salary cap of $209 million.
At a minimum, an NBA team must have 14 players on standard contracts. So the Warriors would have to have their final four players make just under $9 million combined.
Not only would the Warriors be forced to release Kristaps Porzingis, but they would have trouble acquiring any veteran since veteran minimum contracts cost more for players with more NBA experience.
Green should know this, and the fact that he’s willing to agree suggests he doesn’t think James will come.
Siegel reported that the Warriors believe they are the leading contenders to land James if he leaves the Lakers, but the fact that we haven’t heard any rumors that Green orchestrated a coup for James by cutting his salary suggests that the Warriors think he will return to the Lakers.
Could Green push back the decision deadline?
It appears James won’t be ready to make a decision on his future for several days, which puts Green in a difficult position.
Green might be willing to take less if he knows the Warriors will pull James, but he might not be willing to take less if James doesn’t give any indication of what he’ll do.
Teams often ask players to extend the decision period by a few days.
If Green and the Warriors agree to do so, it would be a sign that Green wants to bring James on board and is waiting to hear from James’ camp before making a decision on his contract.
James and Green share the same agent, Rich Paul, and have been friends for a long time.
I wouldn’t be surprised if James gives Green some insight into what he’s thinking.
But I’m guessing that hasn’t happened yet as James considers his options.
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