Ahead of big offseason, Draymond Green says ‘I want to be Warrior for the rest of my life’
LOS ANGELES — This isn’t the end of the Warriors’ dynasty.
At least not according to Draymond Green.
“We’re not done yet. Lost this year, we’ll be back next year,” Green said Friday moments after the Lakers beat the Warriors in six games, effectively ending their hopes of repeating as championships.
But one of the biggest question marks surrounding the core is Green’s future, which is in balance.
Green has a $27.6 million player option for next season, his 12th in the league. Green wasn’t ready to share his plans in the wake of defeat.
The Athletic reported there is mutual interest in keeping Green in the Bay long-term, either via Green opting out and making a new deal from scratch or by Green opting in for $27.6 million next year and extending from there. ESPN’s Marc Spears added that Green is concerned about the future about Warriors general manager Bob Myers, whose contract expires next month, and that Myers’ decision could be a factor for Green.
“We’ll see what happens,” Green said about his contract situation on Friday. “I want to be a Warriors for the rest of my life. I want to ride out with the same dudes I rode in with.”
Coach Steve Kerr is also optimistic about this group’s future.
Kerr said the Warriors weren’t a championship team, pointing to their 11-30 road record as well as Friday’s heartbreaking loss. But while outsiders are quick to put an expiration date on this run, Kerr said he things this isn’t the end.
“Draymond, Klay, Steph, our core guys, they’ve got plenty left to offer,” Kerr said. “I still feel like this team has championship potential… But it’s not like this is the end of the road.”
This story will be updated.