It is extremely hard to tell the story of the Golden State Warriors over the past ten-plus years without mentioning Draymond Green. While he is slated for the Hall of Fame when his career ends, the franchise’s historic run has been more notable for the rise of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, head coach Steve Kerr, and Green as the core of a group that won four championships.
But now, at the obvious tail end of this incredible run, with Jimmy Butler replacing Thompson, the Warriors now only have a couple more years until the dynasty comes to an end. However, Green doesn’t expect his time in the Bay Area, and the NBA as a whole, to end on anyone else’s terms, but rather his own, whenever time does come to hang up his jersey.
Speaking to Sam Amick of The Athletic about the uncertain futures of himself, Curry, and Kerr, Green said he feels all three rightfully deserve to finish their careers on their own terms.
“I feel very much so like Steve (feels). Like, if I’m supposed to be here – and I think I’m always supposed to be here – we will get that done. There is no stress,” Green said about how Kerr’s uncertain future without a contract extension affects both him and Curry. ” At the end of this year, we’ll probably all have conversations… We’re all going to sit down at some point and assess what makes the most sense.”
Both Green and Curry are under contract until the end of next season, while recently, Kerr announced that he doesn’t have a new deal with the team after his year. Curry said he doesn’t expect to play for any other coach, and Green’s comments on the trio’s future stemmed from a question by Amick on whether he feels the same way.
Draymond On His Warriors Future With Curry And Kerr
Green is at the tail end of his career, on a Warriors team that is hoping for one more title to close out their historic run. However, whether that championship comes or not, the futures of Green and Kerr are still in question.
While there is the expectation that the front office would keep Curry around no matter what, Green said he is focused on this season and addressing his future after that, as he has a player option for 2026-27.
“When you come out and have an incredible year, other conversations are allowed to happen,” Green said about how his performance this season affects his future with the team. “I have not had any issues with our front office group in 14 years, and I don’t foresee that happening now.”
While he might not foresee any issues with his own negotiations with the front office, the same might not be true for Kerr. He is in the last year of his deal and has yet to receive an extension. Despite leading Golden State to four titles, the coach said he is comfortable with whatever happens.
When asked if Green agrees with Curry’s sentiment about not wanting to play for another coach, he didn’t give a direct response, but let his feelings be known.
“I hate change,” he said of Kerr’s uncertain future. “But I don’t sit and think about it because I don’t foresee Steve going anywhere. I don’t think we’re done. I think we’ve still got a lot left to give.”
The expectation is that Curry and Green will push for keeping Kerr in town over the summer.
His Retirement Plans And What Is Post-GSW
This Warriors’ core is all near the end of their careers, as besides Green and Curry, both Butler and Al Horford are close to the finish line. But while the focus is on winning a title this season, Green is also thinking about his future.
When asked about how long he has left to play, the former Defensive Player of the Year said he doesn’t have a concrete number of years, but rather until he loses the joy of playing the game.
“I don’t know what that exact number is, but I do know I still enjoy a lot of what comes with this. And as long as I enjoy it, and can go through that process and give what I need to give to be at an elite level,” he said. “I still enjoy too much of it. And I’m healthy. So you add the enjoyment with the health, and those two things can make it a little tougher (to walk away).”
Most recently, Green expressed interested in acting after he retires. The four-time champ recently appeared on an episode of ‘St. Denis Medical’, and is open to doing more of that work.
“I definitely want to continue to get more in that field,” he explained. “What I realize is it’s like a practice and the whole team’s got to know their stuff or it doesn’t flow right. You got to make this all make sense together. I have a role to play.”
Though he can cause headaches at times, it is hard to find a reason as to why the Warriors wouldn’t bring back Green or Kerr, especially if they are both non-negotiables for Curry.
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