Draymond Green's contract opt-out opens LeBron James path for Warriors

Draymond Green is suddenly an unrestricted free agent, and it could lead to LeBron James joining the Golden State Warriors.

The 36-year-old forward opted out of the final year of his contract with Golden State, according to ESPN, and declined a player option worth nearly $27.7 million for the 2026-27 season. It means Green is free to sign with another NBA team when free agency begins with the league's legal negotiating period on Tuesday, June 30.

Green's decision, however, is seen as a positive development for the Warriors' offseason plans. The team is reportedly seeking James and his former Lakers' teammate, Anthony Davis of the Washington Wizards, and would use the contract for injured forward Jimmy Butler and the $15 million midlevel exception to pull it off.

"If Draymond Green opts out of that contract, I will just point out he's represented by the same agency as LeBron James – Klutch Sports," NBA reporter Brian Windhorst said on ESPN's "Get Up" on Monday, June 29. "... If Draymond opts out of that contract, it opens the window for the Warriors to maneuver and offer a free agent. Maybe it's LeBron, maybe it's someone else."

The anticipation is that Golden State and Green will begin negotiating terms for a new contract extension based on how the team's pursuit of James goes. Though Green and James had a memorable encounter during the 2016 NBA Finals, in which a flagrant foul by Green led to a one-game suspension, the two have since developed a friendship off the court and share the same representation.

Green will be entering his 15th NBA season in 2026-27 and averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebound and 5.5 assists per game for the Warriors this past season. The team failed to make it out of the Western Conference play-in tournament this past season, with injuries to Butler and Stephen Curry contributing to the struggles.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr and Curry are returning and the franchise selected Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft last week. Who else joins them in the Bay Area next season is suddenly a topic of great intrigue for the entire league.