Draymond Green wants to retire a Warrior, but plans to play in 2027-28 season

Draymond Green wants to retire a Warrior, but plans to play in 2027-28 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green entered his 15th season with the Warriors on a one-year contract that he signed in the offseason. 

While the one-year deal reaffirmed the team’s commitment to the four-time champion, it raised questions about Green’s future with the team, and in the NBA, beyond the 2026-27 season. 

Green reiterated in an interview with CNBC’s Alex Sherman that he wants to spend his entire career with the Warriors but also stated that this will not be the final season of his career. 

“I would love to retire a Golden State Warrior; however, I also would love to play basketball next year,” Green said. “So if that’s not here, I’m not going to retire. But in saying that, I would love for that to be here.  

“It’s such a rare thing to be on one team for your entire career, and if I can accomplish that feat, I would love to do it.” 

Green’s love for the franchise is clear, but he also acknowledged that he doesn’t have the “luxury that Steph Curry has” of a guaranteed future spot on the Warriors roster if that is what he desires. 

He understands that the franchise has a business decision to make next offseason regarding roster construction. 

“Number one, I understand the business,” Green explained. “I do know that this is a business and the organization is going to make the best decision from a business standpoint. If I fit into that equation: great. If I don’t: great.  

“But I’m extremely grateful for the journey that I’ve been on here, and I’m going to enjoy this year like it’s my last, even if it isn’t.” 

In 2023, Green told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith that his preferred career timeline would draw its conclusion toward the end of his 15th season. But now that year No. 15 has arrived, Green sees at least one more year in professional basketball.  

The possibility that it is his last year with Golden State is not something he ignores. 

“I think I’d be crazy to not think that that’s a possibility,” Green said. “In saying that, I don’t approach every day like this is my last year here. But to say that that’s not a possibility; I’d be fooling myself.” 

Above all else, Green is content with playing a key part of the Warriors since the beginning of his career in 2012. 

“If 14-and-a-half years ago you handed me a sheet of paper that said ‘Hey, not only are you going to player 15 years in the NBA, but you’re going to play 15 years with one team?’ I would have taken that sheet of paper so fast – sign me up as fast as you can,” Green said. “So, I’m not going to get to year 15 in this place and have any ill-will or any ill-feelings towards this maybe [being] my last year.” 

Green is clearly appreciative of his time as a Warrior. And even if the powers that be decide that this is his last year with the franchise, it does not appear that it will be his last year playing basketball. 

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