It has become official. Draymond Green is looking to move on from the Golden State Warriors and test out free agency for the upcoming 2023-2024 NBA season. As some fans might be aware, Draymond has been the heart and soul of the Warriors throughout their many championship runs. Especially on the defensive end of the floor and as a vocal leader.
However, he has also brought a fair share of problems along with him over the years. NBA experts claimed that GSW’s season was already over after Green got into an altercation with Jordan Poole. These words turned out to be true after they were eliminated in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Although they won 4 championships over the last decade, it truly looks like the Warriors dynasty is coming to an end with the departure of Draymond. Let us take a closer look at the situation and see how things could play out in the near future.
Will Draymond Green join the Dallas Mavericks?
We already knew that Draymond was approaching the backend of a 4 year and $99 million contract with the Warriors. He was expected to stay for this season under a player option and was to be a free agent at the end of the 2023-2023 NBA season.
However, he clearly realized that it was time to move on to the next stage of his career. According to the report by NBA Insider Shams Charania, Draymond is expected to decline his player option and will be an unrestricted free agent. This means that any team could add him to their roster. Provided that both parties are able to make a deal.
BREAKING: Draymond Green is declining his $27M player option and is now an unrestricted free agent, per @ShamsCharania
Oh my… pic.twitter.com/kVgAFhr6SQ
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 19, 2023
NBA fans are eagerly predicting which team Draymond could be heading towards. The Dallas Mavericks failed to even make the NBA playoffs due to their lackluster defense. Since that is Draymond’s specialty, a move to the Mavs is on the radar.
Draymond Green is a Dallas Maverick https://t.co/kj0Iuogphp
— $ydius🤞🏼 (@SydiusVibes) June 19, 2023
Luka Doncic wants the Dallas Mavericks to make a trade for Draymond Green 👀
(via Marc Stein) pic.twitter.com/YXmIVBd5rI
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) October 9, 2022
Another popular theory is that Green will join LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the fact that the Lakers eliminated them, Draymond has a good personal relationship with LeBron James. He will be banking on that and expecting the Lakers to offer him a deal.
There are also several lower-tier non-contending teams that could use a veteran and accomplished voice in the locker room. In any case, we look forward to seeing what uniform Draymond Green will be wearing next season.