Golden State Warriors’ forward Draymond Green declined his $27.6 million player option for next season. Green’s agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, shared the news with The Athletic, but said the move does not rule out a return to Golden State. Paul also told ESPN that “we will continue to talk to Golden State and explore all options.” .

The 33-year-old Green has played for the Warriors since he was drafted in 2012; he is a four-time NBA champion, a four-time All-Star, an eight-time all-defensive selection and a former Defensive Player of the Year.  Green has maintained that he never wants to play for another franchise for the rest of his career. Green reiterated that sentiment, saying after the Warriors’ Game 6 loss to the Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals: “I’ve told you guys for years, I want to be a Warrior for the rest of my life. I wanna ride out with the same dudes I rode in with. And I think we’ve put the work in to make that happen, and here we are with our worst season as a whole since 2014, and yet, we had a chance to make another run. It’s never as bad as it seems. It’s never as good as it seems.”

Further, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said on May 13 of Green: “If Draymond’s not back, we’re not a championship contender. We know that. He’s that important to winning, to who we are. I absolutely want him back.”

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