Draymond Green had the chance to lock in extra protection on his new deal with the Warriors. He passed.
After turning down his $27.7MM player option so Golden State could chase a marquee free agent - a move that didn’t end up paying off - Green later signed a one-year contract for the same amount. That agreement could have included a no-trade clause, since he met the league’s requirements: at least four years with the team, a new deal rather than an extension, and eight years of NBA service.
Golden State didn’t offer that provision, and Green didn’t push the issue. He also gave up the implicit no-trade protection that comes with a one-year contract, choosing instead to take a 15 percent trade kicker, the same setup he had in his previous deal, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
On a recent episode of his podcast, Green explained why he didn’t make the clause a battle point.
“ I think it was something that we could have fought over, but it wasn’t worth fighting over,” he said (video link). “ I think if the Warriors want to trade me at some point in the season, they want to trade me. I’ve never been a guy who wants to stay somewhere where I’m not wanted.”
Trade chatter has surfaced around Green at times this season, which is unusual for a player who has spent so much of his career in Golden State. Even with that, the business side of the situation has been part of the conversation, and there has long been reported mutual interest in having him finish his career in the Bay Area.
“ I think there is a partnership that this works for us, it works,” Green said. “ If it doesn’t, it doesn’t, you know, and I never want to be that guy anyway.
So, to sit and fight over a no-trade clause, I don’t think it was worth it. It’s pointless.
So, that wasn’t a thing.”
Heading into the 2026/27 season, Damian Lillard is the only player set to have a no-trade clause.
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