Draymond Green reportedly agrees to 1-year, $27.7 million deal to return to Warriors
Draymond Green, a four-time champion with the Golden State Warriors, has re-signed with the only NBA franchise he has ever known, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
The 36-year-old big man agreed to a one-year, $27.7 million deal to return to the Warriors.
Draymond Green has agreed to return to the Golden State Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million deal, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. The contract is the same Green opted out of to give the Warriors flexibility to pursue LeBron James, but the sides land his return Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/Hyf1xruzrx
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 28, 2026
Green previously declined a $27.7 million player option for the 2026-27 season, giving the team more salary flexibility as free agency opened up. But the Warriors have whiffed on their contingency plans, including a pursuit of fellow Klutch Sports client LeBron James.
Green, a four-time All-Star, averaged 8.4 points (42/33/70 shooting splits), 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 27.5 minutes a game — close to his career numbers — this past season.
But Green's impact has never been about traditional statistics. He is one of his generation's most brilliant defenders, a surefire Hall of Famer whose insertion into the starting lineup coincided with the rise of Golden State's dynasty. He is to the Warriors' defense what Stephen Curry is to their offense, and that is not an understatement.
(Meanwhile, Curry is signed through next season and becomes eligible for a contract extension on Aug. 29, when the sharpshooter will be six months shy of his 39th birthday.)
Offensively, Green's ability to serve as a hub for roaming shooters from the center spot (in addition to his ability to occasionally space the floor) has traditionally unlocked small-ball lineups that have owned the NBA for some time. This past season, however, the Warriors were outscored by 4.3 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court.
The Warriors failed to make the playoffs for the second time in three seasons and the fourth time in seven years, all sandwiched around their most recent title from 2022.
An ACL injury to 36-year-old Jimmy Butler derailed their greater hopes. They lost faith in Jonathan Kuminga, dealing him to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the oft-sidelined Kristaps Porziņģis, who turns 31 years old in August and who agreed to re-sign with the Warriors for $40 million over the next two years. Al Horford turned 40 years old in June.
This is an aging roster, and it could get more aged. As news spread that Green could accept a pay cut in order to gain longer-term security, there was speculation abound about what Golden State could do with its newfound financial flexibility, including the pursuit of another high-profile unrestricted free agent: the 41-year-old LeBron James.
James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers last week.
Additionally, there has been some consideration as to what the Warriors could get if they attached a boatload of draft picks to Butler's expiring $56.8 million contract. Among the names is another aging superstar — and Klutch Sports client: 33-year-old Anthony Davis.
But the Washington Wizards have thus far been resistant to dealing the oft-injured star.
At one point, anything felt possible in Golden State this summer once head coach Steve Kerralso agreed to return on a two-year extension alongside Curry and Green. But without any additional moves around them, at least so far, it seems the Warriors could be bound for another play-in tournament berth in the ever-crowded Western Conference.
