NBA's Green Opts Out of Contract, Warriors Have Space to Pursue LeBron + Davis

(Taipei, June 30, 2024, CNA, International News) ESPN, citing sources, reported that as Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green today rejected his $27.6 million player option, the Warriors intend to pursue Lakers star LeBron James in the free agent market and want to trade for forward star Anthony Davis.

Warriors veteran Draymond Green has decided to forgo his $27.6 million player option for the 2026-27 season and enter free agency early. However, this does not mean he will necessarily leave the Warriors, where he has played for 14 years. It could be part of a renegotiation of a new contract between the team and the player, while also giving the Warriors more salary cap space to pave the way for offseason acquisitions.

ESPN revealed that for weeks, sources have been circulating that the Warriors intend to pursue Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James in the free agent market. Although initial indications suggest James is likely to choose to stay with the Lakers, negotiations between James and the Lakers have not progressed before the free agency market opens on June 30, leaving room for speculation.

Currently, whether through a trade for Anthony Davis with the Washington Wizards or not, the Warriors have the space to offer James the full $15.1 million mid-level exception. League sources believe that pursuing Davis is more of an additional incentive, aimed at attracting James to join. James and Davis teamed up to win a championship with the Lakers in 2020 and remain good friends.

To trade for Davis, the Warriors would likely have to involve their star player Jimmy Butler, who underwent ACL surgery over three months ago. However, there are reports that the Warriors have privately told Butler that the team is more inclined to keep him. (Compiled by Chen Yi-wei) 1150630

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