NBA free agency is admittedly one of the more exciting times to be a hoops fan. Every year, there’s a surprising signing or a player who declines an option to become a free agent, and this year might just become the most chaotic in recent memory thanks to former Michigan State star Draymond Green.
The polarizing NBA star and future Hall of Famer is nearing the end of his playing career, but he’s not ready to give up hope on another ring.
On Monday, the Spartan declined his massive $27.7 million player option for the upcoming season, making him a free agent.
At first glance, this might seem like a crazy move by Draymond, turning down that much money to become a free agent where he will obviously make nowhere near that at his age. He signed the deal when he was in his prime and he knew that he may have to eventually opt out of his player option to help the team out.
It also opens the door for the Warriors to land LeBron James in free agency. Actually, it might just makes the Warriors the favorites to land LeBron because it gives them enough flexibility to put an offer together and that way Draymond can come back to the table to negotiate a smaller deal with Golden State.
LeBron James is preparing to meet with the Warriors this week as an unrestricted free agent.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 29, 2026
After Draymond Green opted out today, Golden State has the necessary flexibility to sign LeBron and trade for Anthony Davis.
LeBron leaving the Lakers is gaining significant traction. pic.twitter.com/xsxp1CsNe5
At the ripe age of 36, Draymond is still chasing rings and he may have just made the Warriors one of the NBA title favorites in 2026-27 if all goes to plan.
It makes more sense when you consider that LeBron and Draymond share the same agent, so there are probably strings being pulled and recruiting being done that we aren’t seeing. I’m going to assume that Draymond has had conversations with LeBron about joining Golden State and this would give the Warriors a “Big 4” if they also trade for Anthony Davis like rumors suggest.
Draymond, LeBron, Davis, and Steph Curry would be an incredible big four and three of them could ride off into the sunset together after another NBA title.
Golden State is going all in.
Draymond Green’s love for LeBron James has been well-documented
For anyone who doesn’t think this has anything to do with wanting to play with LeBron, this is what Draymond’s official podcast posted after the news of his declined player option went public:
👀👀👀 Tomorrow on The Draymond Green Show... https://t.co/fWRgWz0daa https://t.co/tRzgtpNz0j pic.twitter.com/3twfwWii6U
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) June 29, 2026
Draymond is sending out the “bat signal” to get LeBron to Golden State. He did it by taking a pay-cut to play with one of the greatest to ever play basketball, and you can’t really blame him.
It’s been well-documented that Draymond and LeBron are good friends and it sounds like they might want to be teammates for a final run before both retire.
The former Michigan State star wants to be surrounded by the best talent in the league and he was also a major driving force in getting Kevin Durant to Golden State years ago which helped produce two NBA titles. He’s hoping to strike gold twice.
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