One minute after NBA free agency kicked off on Thursday, Draymond Green and the Warriors agreed to terms on a contract. Yes, it was that urgent for Green to lock in at least three more years to keep alive the dynasty he helped create.
Immediately, Green’s four-year, $100 million deal with a final year player option furrowed brows for some valid reasons. He’s 33 now and will be 37 when he reaches unrestricted free agency. It’s fair to wonder how an undersized player who has 12 years of wear and tear playing uniquely physical defense will stay healthy and competitive late into his 30s.
And for the cynical, one has to wonder how Green could be rewarded after throwing a literal devastating blow last season. The team’s main guys linked their derailed title defense season to Green punching Jordan Poole in the face before the season even began. Now 24-year-old Poole has been shipped to Washington for 38-year-old Chris Paul as Green re-established his domain with a big contract.
