Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is having a breakout season in advance of his restricted free agency, which means a large pay day is coming this offseason. But Green isn't focused on his next contract, instead enjoying the Warriors' dominating 42-9 start, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News.
Draymond Green not worried about free agency
Green is set to receive a hefty raise in the summer, but he’s more focused on the Warriors’ fun ride this season.
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
While Green acknowledges that many people are looking forward to his free agency, it’s not a big deal to him at this time: “I know I am a free agent,” Green told Sporting News. “Everyone knows it. But I can honestly say I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it.”
Green has flourished as the starting power forward for the league-leading Warriors this season. He’s averaging 11.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists, and his versatility on the defensive end has him in the running for Defensive Player of the Year.
As a second-round pick, the 24-year-old is severely underpaid, as Green is making just $915,243 this season. Deveney says Golden State entered the year expecting Green to receive contract offers this upcoming summer starting in the $8 million to $9 million range, a reasonable amount given his production in his first two years.
Now those offers will easily be double figures annually, and some teams could come calling with max contract offers, especially with the cap set to take a big jump in 2016. One of those teams could be Green's hometown team, the Detroit Pistons, who will have plenty of cap space to work with.
Matching a big offer for Green would likely take the Warriors over the luxury tax, which the organization has never paid before. Trading David Lee could help get Golden State under the tax, but co-owner Joe Lacob has said the team would be willing to pay the tax in the right situation. Considering the Warriors’ success, this would certainly seem like the right situation, although an early exit in the postseason could change that outlook.
But nobody on the Warriors is thinking too far ahead right now, and Green is having a blast playing for the NBA’s best team:
“I am having so much fun,” Green said. “I would be doing myself wrong, I would be doing an injustice to not enjoy this-everything I worked for, I worked to be in a position like this. For me to sit here and worry about a contract? No, I’m not doing that. What would be the reason? Regardless of whether I worry about it now or later, it’s not going change either way. I am not going to sign anything until July 1 anyway. To worry about it, I would be doing myself unfair and the team unfair.”
Green is sure to play a major factor in whatever postseason success Golden State has, and he could ensure himself a max contract by playing well in the playoffs. But if we’re to believe him, the dollar signs won’t be on his mind when he’s helping the Warriors make a postseason run.
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