Throughout a Warriors season that concluded in an NBA championship, restricted free agent forward Draymond Green stated a desire to see what kind of interest he would get from other teams on the open market.
That’s precisely what will happen after negotiations between the Warriors and Green reportedly reached an impasse Wednesday morning.
The Warriors met with Green and his agent, B.J. Armstrong, in Los Angeles Tuesday night, immediately after the negotiation window opened, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. When those talks failed to reach a conclusion, Green and Armstrong were freed to negotiate with other teams.
Because Green is a restricted free agent, the Warriors have the right to match any offer the Michigan State product receives. The Warriors, fully aware that several teams are known to be interested in Green, have indicated they would exercise that right.
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Green became a crucial member of the team after earning the starting power forward spot early last season. Though his numbers were solid – 11.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists – they do not properly illustrate his full value to the team.
Put simply: If not for Green’s presence at both ends of the court and in the locker room, the Warriors would not have won their first championship since 1975.
In the final season of his rookie contract worth $2.6 million, Green made $915,000 last season. He could command an offer sheet upward of $15 million per season.
Again, the Warriors consider Green a core member of their team and have given every indication they want to keep him with the organization.
Though Green stressed a desire to return to the Warriors, he also said he wanted to experience the feeling of being sought after on the open market.
