Draymond Green has declined his $27.7 million player option with the Golden State Warriors, clearing cap room for the franchise to pursue LeBron James in free agency and Anthony Davis via trade, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Free agency officially opened Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET.
A calculated move, not a breakup
Green’s opt-out does not mean he is leaving Golden State. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported in April that the Warriors’ preference was for Green to waive the option and sign a longer-term deal at a reduced annual rate. By removing his salary from the books, the team now controls the full $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception – the maximum available for any free agent signing.
The 2025-26 season was a difficult one. Golden State finished 37-45 and missed the playoffs. Stephen Curry, 37, posted 26.6 points per game – third-highest scoring average in league history for a player at that age – but was limited to 43 games by runner’s knee. Green played 68 games, the most available of the three veterans. Jimmy Butler appeared in just 38.
The moonshot: LeBron and Davis together in San Francisco
Golden State’s plan is as ambitious as anything the franchise has attempted since signing Kevin Durant in 2016. The Warriors want to sign LeBron James – who entered free agency Tuesday – and acquire Anthony Davis via trade from Washington, where Davis landed after a February trade from Dallas. According to Charania, James would only join Golden State under one condition: Davis has to come with him. “AD and LeBron James would have to be a package deal to come to Golden State, team up with Green and Curry,” Charania reported.
The financial reality is stark. James earned $52.6 million with the Lakers last season. The Warriors’ midlevel exception tops out at $15.1 million – a massive pay cut. The Davis trade package would center on Butler’s contract heading to Washington. Whether Washington finds that deal attractive enough, and whether the cap math closes, are the two questions that will define this summer for the Warriors.
James, turning 42 in December, has not announced his decision. The biggest free agency domino of 2026 is still standing.
Sources: ESPN (Shams Charania); Yahoo Sports
