The Warriors had four extension-eligible players and chose future potential in Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole over past performance with Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.
Thompson and Green are still in the mix to help the Warriors defend their championship in 2022-23, but Green’s player options will allow him to test the free agent market at year’s end if he pleases.
“Draymond’s in a great spot,” Myers told reporters Sunday. “He’s got a player option, it’s a great position for a player to be in. You control your own destiny.”
Green’s player option for the 2023-24 season would bank him roughly $27.5 million for his age-33 season. A new media rights deal will kick in for 2025, raising the salary cap and likely leading to players of Green’s caliber making more than that.
But before anything, the four-time champion must prove again that he’s still the defensive force and key cog that’s made him such a catalyst of winning his entire career.”
“We gave Wiggins — we reluctantly give those (extensions), those are really powerful things for players,” Myers said. “He’s in a great spot, and I think he’s excited about the year. And he wants to win another championship. He sees the opportunity in front of him, but I don’t sense — I talked to him this morning — I don’t sense any issues there, any problems with that. I imagine he’s going to have a fantastic year, I actually think he will have a great year. He’s got a lot on the line, and usually when Draymond has a lot on the line, he performs.”
Green averaged 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game last year. He was the Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner before he went down with a back injury in January.
If Green opts into that extra 2023-24 season, the Warriors’ payroll including luxury tax penalties would be approximately $480 million. It’s possible Golden State won’t let it come to that by trading away players with big salaries. That could amount to breaking up GSW’s legendary trio.
This could be a “Last Dance” type season for the Warriors, but looking too far ahead risks losing sight of what the Warriors could potentially accomplish in the present. Just ask Myers.
“Enjoy this season,” the general manager recently said in a 95.7 The Game interview. “And tune in at the end of the season. You can have these worries or anxieties or thoughts, and I love our fans, and they’re allowed to do that. But I’d tell that fan, we’ll see what happens.”