Draymond Green is officially back with the Golden State Warriors after the organization’s failed attempt to land LeBron James.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Green has agreed to a one-year, $27.7 million contract to remain with the Warriors. That deal is very similar to the one Green previously opted out of to give the Warriors additional financial flexibility as they attempted to go after LeBron and other targets this offseason.
In the end, however, no blockbuster deals came through. LeBron chose the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving the Warriors to go back to one of the pillars of their dynasty.
And to be honest, Green’s return wasn’t surprising. Even before free agency began, reports hinted that both sides wanted to continue this partnership. The only reason Green opted out was to help the Warriors maximize every financial avenue as they searched for another superstar.
But now, since the Warriors have tried, failed, and exhausted all their possibilities, Draymond Green is back where he has spent his entire NBA career.
And that decision comes just hours after Green explained why he believes LeBron James decided to reject the Golden State Warriors. Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, Green admitted that the history between LeBron and the Warriors might have been the most significant factor in LeBron declining to join the Warriors.
And LeBron James’ rejection capped an ultimately brutal Warriors offseason. The Warriors went after every superstar who was available this offseason. As things stand, the Warriors remain the only team in the entire league not to make an addition this offseason. In fact, forget making a major move; they haven’t even made a minor one.
They are literally going with the same roster they had last season, with the exception of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. They’re bringing back the same core that finished 37-45, claimed the 10th seed in the Western Conference and was ultimately eliminated in the play-in.
That reality raises major questions about the Warriors’ direction.
Green has been the Warriors’ emotional leader and defensive anchor, but he’s no longer the All-Star-caliber player he once was. Last season, he averaged 8.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists while continuing to quarterback one of the league’s better defenses.
After missing out on every big free-agent target and every blockbuster trade target this summer, the Warriors seem to be okay with running it back with the same squad that failed to reach the playoffs one season ago.
Unless there is a significant move around the corner, the Warriors are hoping that continuity and the eventual return of Jimmy Butler will be enough for one final championship run with Stephen Curry.
It’s a gamble, a very big one.
And it could ultimately decide the final years of one of the NBA’s greatest dynasties.
