Draymond Green declined his $27.6m player option on Monday, signaling that the Golden State Warriors could be preparing to make some big moves. According to ESPN, the Warriors needed financial flexibility to pursue free agent LeBron James and complete a trade for Anthony Davis with the Washington Wizards.
Green willing to take pay cut to facilitate moves
Green reportedly indicated to the Warriors that he would be willing to work out a new deal at a lower salary for next season if that means the team can add crucial pieces to the roster. James's longtime associate Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, is also the agent for Green and Davis.
James would take pay cut to join Warriors
According to the ESPN report, James would take a pay cut to play for the Warriors. He played last season on the final year of a two-year, $101m contract with the Lakers, and only Los Angeles could sign him to a deal in that salary range. The Warriors could offer him a $15.1m non-taxpayer midlevel exception. However, money isn't likely to be the driving force as James decides whether to retire or play a 24th NBA season. He has already earned $581m in salary, per Spotrac, and has a net worth of around $1.4bn.
Friendship and championships on the line
More valuable is the opportunity to play with Green and Davis, two of his closest friends. James and Curry, after battling in four consecutive NBA finals from 2015 to 2018, have become closer in the past few years. The Lakers had the oldest roster in the 2025-26 season with an average age of 30. The Warriors were second-oldest at 28.6 years. Curry is 38, Green is 36, James is 41, and Davis is 33 – an average age of 37. Should this group come together, the Warriors would probably need to trade 36-year-old Jimmy Butler to the Wizards as part of the NBA-required salary balance. However, ESPN reported that Butler has been informed by the team they would prefer to retain him.
A potential dynasty
Should the Curry-Green-James-Davis quartet come together, the Warriors could put four players on the court with a combined 13 NBA championships, 48 All-Star selections, and 68 seasons of experience.
