Draymond Green has made it clear that loyalty to the Golden State Warriors outweighs any desire to join another contender late in his career.
Speaking with Shaquille O’Neal on The Big Podcast, the four-time NBA champion said he would only consider leaving Golden State if the organization no longer wanted him. Even then, Green said his goal would be to make a meaningful contribution to a championship team rather than simply collect another ring.
“If there’s something that I could offer to a team and I’m like, ‘I’m the missing piece there,’ I can go help that team get over the hump, that’s a totally different thing,” Green said. “That’s different than, ‘Man, let me go see if I can just fall into one more.’”
When O’Neal specifically mentioned the Phoenix Suns as a hypothetical destination, Green acknowledged it “would be a hell of an opportunity” but immediately emphasized that his priority remains Golden State.
“The Warriors would have to not want me anymore,” Green said. “I’ve been there 12 years.”
Green reflected on joining a franchise that had won just 23 games in the 2011-12 season before selecting him with the 35th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He recalled handing out game tickets around Oakland and riding BART as a rookie, illustrating how dramatically the organization transformed before winning its first championship in 2015.
“We built this thing up from the ground,” Green said. “That’s our baby.”
The veteran forward also praised the Warriors for providing stability throughout his NBA career, saying he has never experienced the harsher side of the league’s business.
“I will always do right by the organization because there’s no ill will for me,” Green said. “It’s not like I’ve been treated bad.”
Green then delivered his strongest statement about his future, saying he would rather endure losing seasons in Golden State than leave simply to join a contender.
“If I had to stay in Golden State another five years and we not make the playoffs for five years straight, I’m totally fine with that,” Green said. “I’d rather struggle with the same guys that I succeeded with. I’d rather struggle together.”
His comments come shortly after an eventful offseason for the Warriors. Green declined his $27.7 million player option before free agency to help Golden State maximize salary-cap flexibility in its pursuit of LeBron James. The move ultimately did not produce the desired result, as James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers after the Warriors’ attempts to reshape their roster fell short.
Golden State also explored blockbuster possibilities involving Anthony Davis and Trey Murphy III but was unable to complete either deal. The organization is now expected to re-sign Green to a new contract worth roughly $28 million annually after missing out on James.
The Warriors are coming off a disappointing 37-45 campaign that ended with the franchise finishing 10th in the Western Conference. Injuries played a major role, with Stephen Curry appearing in only 43 games and Jimmy Butler limited to 38 before suffering a torn ACL that is expected to sideline him for the beginning of the 2026-27 season.
Despite the team’s uncertain outlook, Green remains committed to the franchise where he has spent all 14 NBA seasons. Across 949 regular-season games, the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year has averaged 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists while helping lead the Warriors to four NBA championships. He also started all 68 games he played in 2025-26, averaging 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and earning an 11th-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
