Draymond Green declined his $27.6 million player option on Monday, a move that grants the Golden State Warriors greater financial flexibility for potential roster upgrades.
The decision is seen as a step toward pursuing free agent LeBron James and facilitating a trade with the Washington Wizards for Anthony Davis, according to The Guardian.
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Potential Moves
ESPN reported that James would be willing to take a pay cut to join the Warriors.
He is coming off a two-year, $101 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, the only team that can offer him a max deal.
Alternatively, Golden State could offer James a $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception.
Green has also signaled openness to signing a new contract at a lower salary for the upcoming season.
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Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, represents James, Green, and Davis.
Financial incentives are not expected to be James's primary concern, given his estimated $1.4 billion net worth and $581 million in career earnings.
Adding James would pair him with close friends Green and Davis.
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To balance salaries, the Warriors might need to trade 36-year-old Jimmy Butler to the Wizards, though ESPN reported the team prefers to keep Butler.
