Longtime LeBron James Frenemy Declines Player Option, Enters Free Agency

Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green could have a new NBA home for the first time in his pro career. 

Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Green's agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports has revealed that the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, also a four-time All-Star and four-time champ with the Warriors, is declining his $27.5 million player option for 2023-24 to enter the unrestricted free agent fray on July 1st. 

 This move had been widely expected. ESPN's Marc J. Spears had hinted that Green would decline his option and explore another long-term deal even prior to Paul informing Charania of their intentions. 

 Woj adds that the Warriors are considered "motivated" to re-sign one of their most important vets, whose impact goes beyond his stats, while noting that Green could also explore sign-and-trade possibilities with other franchises. 

Most of the teams with significant camp room aren't exactly contenders, so a sign-and-trade deal would make more sense for a 33-year-old hungry to keep adding rings. 

 After their four straight vicious battles in the NBA Finals from 2015-18, Green has since become friends with now-Los Angeles Lakers All-NBA small forward LeBron James (then with the Cleveland Cavaliers), and in principle could be a good fit. 

In practice, however, beyond the risk of a potential personality clash, Green's lack of a jumper could really hinder the Lakers' floor spacing, which had just been freed up by this past season's trade deadline thanks to a series of clever moves from team president Rob Pelinka. 

But would Green's skills as a passer, locker room leader (albeit one who occasionally punches his teammates) and versatile defender make up for his deficits as a shooter? Color me skeptical, but he's still worth considering.