The Golden State Warriors are hoping to sign Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson to five-year max contracts when free agency begins, and that may not be the end of their massive spending spree even if all goes to plan.
Draymond Green has one year remaining on his current deal with the Warriors, but he is eligible to sign a max extension this summer. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst report that Green is open to signing a new contract before he becomes a free agent, and the two sides are expected to discuss an extension later in the offseason.
In many ways, Green has been as important to Golden State’s success over the past several years as Durant, Thompson and Stephen Curry. He’s one of the best defenders in the NBA and has the ability to take over games when the aforementioned stars are struggling. That said, he is set to make $18 million next season and has been making less than that up to this point. A max contract for him would represent a significant raise.
The Warriors have Green’s Bird rights, so they can spend over the salary cap to re-sign him, which is what they have already done with Curry and are hoping to do with Thompson. Their luxury tax bill continues to grow to an unprecedented figure, but they are making more money than any team in the NBA and opening a brand new arena in San Francisco next season. As long as they keep winning, the Warriors are fine with spending huge.
