Warriors' Big Four plan takes shape as Draymond Green declines player option

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Warriors' Big Four plan takes shape as Draymond Green declines player option originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option Monday morning, per ESPN's Shams Charania, clearing the financial path for the Warriors to pursue LeBron James in free agency and Anthony Davis via trade before free agency opens Tuesday.

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Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said as recently as last week that he expected Green to opt into the final year of his deal.

The organization is now planning an aggressive run at James, a free agent from the Los Angeles Lakers, and Davis, currently with the Washington Wizards.

All three share agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports

Green, LeBron, and Davis all share agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, which made coordinating the framework much easier.

The Warriors' plan centers on building a four-player core of Stephen Curry, Green, James, and Davis under head coach Steve Kerr, pitching it as a legitimate championship run in Curry's remaining prime years.

Acquiring Davis from Washington would almost certainly require including Jimmy Butler. Butler is on an expiring $56.8 million contract while recovering from a torn ACL.

Davis is making $58.5 million in 2026-27. Butler told ESPN last week: "If I get traded, I get traded. Their job is to win. Can I help them do that? Yes." The Warriors also have two future first-round picks and four first-round swaps available for any deal.

Green's opt-out is expected to produce a new deal at a lower annual salary rather than a clean split, giving the Warriors immediate cap room while keeping him in the fold.

Team and league insiders indicated in April that this was the preferred outcome for both sides, but only if it generated the flexibility needed for a significant addition. He averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season.

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