“The downfall of every dynasty, it’s overpaying guys for past success when they’re clearly over the hill” - NBA analyst believes the Golden State Warriors shouldn't give Draymond Green a max extension
Draymond Green struggled statistically in the 2022 NBA Finals, but he is now looking to get a max extension from the Golden State Warriors. He registered 6.1 points per game, 6.1 assists per game and eight rebounds per game across six games in the Finals last season.
There’s no doubt that Green is a big part of the Warriors but giving him a four-year, $138 million extension may be too much.
Doug Gottlieb, on his podcast, said that giving in to Green’s wishes would be unwise.
“No one’s against them re-signing Draymond Green. And I think Draymond Green brings an incredible amount of intangibles but there does come a point where intangibles just aren’t at the level of what you are being paid. This is the downfall of every dynasty, it’s overpaying guys for past success when they’re clearly over the hill.”
The former Defensive Player of the Year winner has two years left on his current contract. He’s scheduled to earn $25 million next season and has a player option for $27 million the season after. If he opts out of the final year of his deal to become a free agent, he is eligible for a four-year, $138 million extension.
If Draymond Green gets his wish, he will be on the Warriors’ payroll over the next five years for a massive $164 million. He will be 37 by the time the max extension expires.
Should Warriors offer Draymond Green a max contract extension?
"I defended Draymond. I understand how valuable his intangibles and leadership are to the Warriors. That said, there's NO WAY they should extend Draymond Green." — @Chris_Broussard https://t.co/GzXjvfFis0
Golden State could take their cue from the Chicago Bulls in dealing with the Green conundrum, according to Doug Gottlieb.
“Take a look at the Chicago Bulls. One of the geniuses to Jerry Krause’s reign was outside of Jordan and Pippen, they did not stay attached to other guys. Remember Horace Grant was their super athletic, hybrid big guy. He wasn’t their power forward on the second run. They had Dennis Rodman for the second run.”
Gottlieb then used another example of the Bulls’ savvy roster construction:
“The point guard at the start was John Paxson. Their point guard at the end was Steve Kerr…John Paxson was a great fit beside Jordan, it just got to a point where it wasn’t what he used to be…You gotta be careful staying attached to these ancillary pieces even when they have great intangibles.”
"Why would they pay him early? He's intensely valuable to the Warriors, but if Draymond Green was a free agent right now, who's lining up to pay him $30M? I just see no reason whatsoever to pay him."
— @getnickwright reacts to Draymond's desire for a max extension https://t.co/EjPulPnpgc
Draymond Green’s biggest leverage is Steph Curry
The Steph Curry-Draymond Green combo is a huge reason why the Golden State Warriors have been so dominant. Green’s playmaking and reading of the game have helped Curry flourish in Steve Kerr’s offense.
Besides playmaking and his almost telepathic chemistry with Curry, Green makes a huge impact on defense. The Warriors’ championship teams have been excellent on defense mainly due to Green's leadership.
Draymond Green wants and believes he deserves a maximum contract extension from the Warriors, sources tell @anthonyVslater and @ThompsonScribe.
He is eligible to sign a four-year deal on Aug. 3. That is his desired length.
More: theathletic.com/3452144/?sourc… https://t.co/UDMTGS1xqn
Steph Curry understands this, which makes him Green’s biggest leverage. Marcus Thompson II and Anthony Slater of The Athletic had this to report on the Warriors’ dilemma.
He felt that that the bigger concern is how Curry would react if Green did not get an extension after their win last season. Curry is under contract for four more years and possibly wants both Green and Thompson to be playing along with him during the length of his stay.
Extension season is coming and the Warriors have to make some tough decisions that could come with major ramifications.
They begin next week with a championship pillar in Draymond Green, who wants to get paid.
✍🏽 with @anthonyVslater
theathletic.com/3452144/2022/0… https://t.co/bxzZrQFSac
The Warriors would also have to decide whether they want to give Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole extensions. They recently paid a massive $346 million in luxury tax, which is the biggest in NBA history.
How they approach Green’s extension and how that affects Steph Curry’s disposition will be something to watch out for.