Draymond Green Warriors deal gets a C as Golden State eyes 2027
ESPN graded Draymond Green’s one-year, $27.7 million Warriors return a C while spotlighting Golden State’s 2027 cap flexibility.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
The Draymond Green Warriors deal brings the veteran forward back to Golden State on a one-year, $27.7 million contract, and ESPN’s Zach Kram gave the move a straight-down-the-middle C in his 2026 NBA free agency grades.
Kram wrote that the grade reflects where the situation started: before free agency, Green was expected to stay with the Warriors for 2026-27 at that same $27.7 million figure through a player option. Green later declined that option, ESPN reported, giving Golden State room to chase LeBron James.
That chase ended with James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN. Once that happened, Kram wrote, Green returning to the Warriors at the same one-year number lined up with the original expectation.
What grade did ESPN give the Draymond Green Warriors deal?
ESPN gave Green’s return a C. Kram said the site’s free agency grading starts from C as a baseline, and Green’s agreement largely restored the Warriors to the place they had been projected to be before the summer detour.
The more interesting part may be what comes next. ESPN noted that Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Green could all be free agents in 2027. Kristaps Porzingis, listed as Golden State’s fourth-highest-paid player, has only $3 million guaranteed for 2027-28, according to Kram.
That structure could give the Warriors major spending room next summer, ESPN reported. Kram added that even a large new Curry contract would not necessarily swallow all of that space. Curry becomes eligible for an extension on Aug. 29, according to ESPN.
LeBron, Wembanyama and other NBA free agency grades
Green’s return was one piece of a busy ESPN grading file covering major free agent signings and extensions after NBA free agency opened on June 30.
LeBron James to the 76ers: ESPN listed James’ deal as two years and $8 million and graded it an A+. Kram noted James averaged 20.9 points last season, with a 27% usage rate and 7.2 assists per game, while settling into a smaller on-ball role than earlier in his career.
Victor Wembanyama with the Spurs: ESPN graded San Antonio’s five-year, $252 million rookie extension an A+. Kram cited ESPN’s Shams Charania in reporting that Wembanyama committed to a 25% maximum contract rather than a structure that could have risen to 30% of the salary cap with awards triggers.
Gary Trent Jr. stays with the Bucks: ESPN gave Milwaukee a D- for Trent’s four-year, $64 million deal. Kram pointed to Trent’s 8.1 points, 1.2 assists and 1.0 rebounds per game last season, plus a 36% 3-point mark.
Quinten Post to the Grizzlies: ESPN graded Memphis a B- for a three-year, $30 million offer sheet after Golden State chose not to match. ESPN’s Bobby Marks said it was the first time since 2020 that a restricted free agent’s original team declined to match an offer sheet.
Donovan Mitchell extends with the Cavaliers: ESPN gave Cleveland a B- for Mitchell’s four-year, $273 million extension, noting he has made seven straight All-Star teams and earned first- or second-team All-NBA honors in three of his four seasons with the Cavaliers.
ESPN said its grades weigh a player’s age and on-court value, the money involved, the risk of the contract and how the move affects a team’s title chances now and later.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.