Draymond Green recently signed a one-year, $27.7 million contract extension with the Warriors after they failed to land LeBron James in free agency. The 14-year Warriors veteran recently recorded an episode of his podcast, ‘The Draymond Green Show,’ where he reflected on the extension and explained why he reportedly does not have a no-trade clause in his contract.
“I pretty much re-signed, not pretty much, I did re-sign for the same amount that I opted out of. Obviously there was hope that we would land a guy with the mid-level slot that didn’t happen, so I opted back in a sense to my deal. You know, there was kind of no other reason to not do that. So, shout out to the Dubs.”
“It was reported that I did not receive the no-trade clause; no, I didn’t. I think it was something that we could have fought over, but it wasn’t worth fighting over,” Green said.
“You know, I think if the Warriors want to trade me at some point of the season, they want to trade me. I’ve never been a guy who wants to stay somewhere where I’m not wanted.”
“You know, as I’ve always spoken about, I think there is a partnership that if this works for us, it works. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. You know, and I never want to be that guy anyway.”
“So, to sit and fight over a no-trade clause, I don’t think it was worth it. It’s pointless. So, that wasn’t a thing,” Green concluded.
Before the February trade deadline, the Warriors were in discussions with the Bucks’ front office for a deal that involved Draymond Green heading to Milwaukee to potentially land Giannis Antetokounmpo in San Francisco.
Even though the trade did not materialize, Green was fairly aware of the rumors and has since then indicated that he would not hold it against the Warriors’ front office if they traded him. He understands the business side of basketball fairly well, so he knows it’s not personal in most cases.
During LeBron James’ free agency, the 36-year-old was rumored to be considering an exit from the Warriors to join him on the Cavaliers. But when James confirmed that he’s joining the 76ers, Green confirmed his return to Golden State a few days later.
If anything, this decision to not insist on a no-trade clause, despite being a 14-year veteran on the same team, shows a level of trust that Green has in the front office as well. So he trusts that the front office would not do wrong by him.
At age 36, Draymond Green ended the 2025-26 season averaging 8.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 41.8% from the field and 32.8% from behind the three-point line.
His statistical numbers don’t reflect a player who would earn a $27.7 million contract on any other team. So Green seems to acknowledge that while the Warriors have rewarded his loyalty and what he brought to the franchise over the years, he would not mind leaving the team if it helps them improve in any manner.
But that does not change the fact that the four-time NBA champion hopes to retire with the Warriors. Although he would understand if that’s logistically not possible and they have to trade him to improve the roster.
Considering that Green, along with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, are all expected to be unrestricted free agents next summer, it will be extremely fascinating to see what the Warriors’ front office decides to do in 2027.
