The Golden State Warriors enter the offseason after their season ended Friday night with a 111-96 play-in loss to the Phoenix Suns. Stephen Curry was held to 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting, while Draymond Green finished with five points, six assists, two rebounds, and five turnovers before being ejected late in the fourth quarter.
Now the focus shifts to a difficult summer in the Golden State. According to Nick Friedell and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic, Green’s future has become one of the franchise’s key decisions as the Warriors manage salary pressures and search for roster upgrades around Curry.
Green acknowledged the uncertainty after the season. “I’m not retiring. Hopefully I’ve done enough to still be here,” he said. That comment comes as the veteran forward holds a player option worth more than $27 million for next season.
“Hopefully I’ve done enough to still be here.”
Full Draymond soundbite on his future
The Warriors must now decide whether to keep Green, renegotiate his deal, or use his contract in a larger trade. With Curry and Jimmy Butler already carrying two of the team’s biggest salaries, Green’s contract could become central to any major move.
Draymond Green Contract Decision Shapes Golden State Warriors Summer
GettyGolden State Warriors forward Draymond Green
According to The Athletic, Green has a player option worth over $27 million for the 2026-27 season. If he picks it up, Golden State would retain one of its longtime core players but face tighter financial flexibility.
Friedell and Thompson wrote that if Green and the Warriors rework the contract, it “could allow them a little more wiggle room this summer in regard to cap ramifications.” They added that the Warriors are waiting to see what Green decides before taking the next steps.
Green remains one of the most important defensive players on the roster. He made a strong case for his value in the Warriors’ play-in win over the Clippers, where The Athletic noted he “shut down Kawhi Leonard in the fourth quarter.”
Still, his offensive production dipped this season. Green averaged 8.4 points per game, which was his lowest scoring output since the 2021-22 season.
That creates a difficult balance for the Warriors: Green still brings leadership, defense, and experience, but the front office must weigh that against age, salary, and roster needs.
Warriors Trade Options Increase Pressure On Draymond Green
GettyGolden State Warriors forward Draymond Green
The Athletic outlined why Green’s deal could become a natural trade chip if Golden State pursues another star this summer.
Curry is set to earn $62.6 million next season, while Butler is at $56.8 million. Green’s $27.7 million player option becomes the next largest contract on the books. Moses Moody is due $12.5 million, though The Athletic noted his injury situation could complicate trade value.
Because of that structure, Friedell and Thompson wrote, “if the Warriors want to trade for any player with a significant salary, Green would make the most sense to be included.”
Green was already connected to trade speculation before the deadline. The Athletic wrote that during Golden State’s pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Green felt trade anxiety for the first time in his career.
“It got nerve-racking toward the end,” Green said at the time. “But yeah, it is what it is. Move forward. It’s not something I want to get used to, though.”
The report also stated that while Jimmy Butler was given assurances he was not part of those talks, Green did not receive the same certainty.
Even with the speculation, Green and coach Steve Kerr have both said they hope he finishes his career in Golden State. Curry, Green, and Kerr remain the defining figures of the Warriors era that produced four championships.
But after another early exit, change may be unavoidable. Golden State still has all of its first-round picks, giving the front office tools to pursue upgrades.
Whether Green returns or becomes part of a major trade may now define the Warriors’ offseason and the final championship push of the Curry era.
Draymond Green Could Be Traded This Summer as Warriors Face Brutal Cap Reality