Draymond Green returned to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday — and the Warriors maintained flexibility to potentially overhaul their roster next summer.
Warriors forward Draymond Green agreed to a one-year, $27.7 million deal to return to the team on Tuesday.
Green agreed to a one-year, $27.7 million contract to stay with the only employer of his NBA career, a league source confirmed to the Chronicle. The terms mirror the player option Green declined June 29, to give the Warriors flexibility as they chased LeBron James and other free agents.
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The Warriors officially announced Thursday that Green has signed his new contract.
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Green’s return suggests the Warriors do not expect to make other big-money transactions this offseason. They’re still expected to formalize a previous contract agreement (two years, $11 million) with guard De’Anthony Melton.
There had been speculation Green might return on a two-year contract worth more than the $27.7 million he temporarily sacrificed by declining the player option. But the Warriors kept their commitment to one year, giving themselves the option of remaking their roster in 2027.
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The contracts of Stephen Curry ($62.6 million), Jimmy Butler ($56.8 million) and Green all expire after the coming season. Those three deals total $147.1 million for next season.
Also, center Kristaps Porzingis signed a two-year, $40 million extension this month — but only $3 million of his 2027-28 salary is guaranteed. Porzingis’ full salary for ’27-’28 doesn’t become guaranteed until July 7, 2027.
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Curry is eligible to sign a contract extension Aug. 29. Earlier this month, in a Chronicle interview, Curry said “for sure” he would to pursue an extension with the Warriors.
If he doesn’t agree to an extension before the season starts, that would be the first public sign of frustration with Golden State’s struggles in trying to strengthen the roster around Curry.
Green, 36, is a four-time All-Star and nine-time all-defensive selection. He averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists last season, as the Warriors wobbled to a 37-45 record and missed the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Green was still effective playing alongside Curry, though his impact diminished significantly when Curry was sidelined for two-plus months by a knee injury. Opponents often didn’t bother to defend Green on the perimeter, clogging up the Warriors' spacing on offense. Green shot 32.6% from beyond the 3-point arc.
But he remains a defensive standout, one big reason the Warriors wanted to keep him for the upcoming season. Whether he stays around for the 2027-28 season is another question entirely.
