SAN FRANCISCO \u2014 Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said that while he has had discussions with Draymond Green about his future, \u201cthe ball is in his court\u201d as far as whether the former Defensive Player of the Year returns to the franchise.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we have had discussions where we want him to finish his career (as) a Warrior,\u201d Dunleavy said Friday. \u201cHe kind of feels the same way. I would expect him to be back, but it\u2019s his call on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Green has a player option for just over $27 million next season that he can exercise to remain with the franchise, though the Warriors could ask Green to decline the option and work out a longer-term contract with a lower annual salary. If the Warriors want to acquire a star in a trade, they would likely need to use Green\u2019s contract to match salaries. But it remains to be seen how the next few months unfold.<\/p>\n
Warriors coach Steve Kerr was also optimistic Green\u2019s 13-year run with the Warriors can continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe number one thing is, it\u2019s up to him,\u201d Kerr said. \u201cHe has the player option, so he has to go through that with his agent, how that plays out. I am committed to coaching him, coaching Steph (Curry), obviously, for as long as they\u2019re here. I look at them as collaborators, and what we\u2019ve built is pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n
What about the bigs?<\/p>\n
Dunleavy and Kerr said they would like midseason acquisition Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is and veteran Al Horford to return next season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose are guys that we definitely would love to have back,\u201d Dunleavy said. \u201cThey had some really good performances this year with us. They add an element to our team that we haven\u2019t had in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n
Porzi\u0146\u0123is is an unrestricted free agent, and Dunleavy said that conversations with Porzi\u0146\u0123is and his representation will begin soon. Horford, 39, still has to decide if he wants to continue playing. He has a player option worth almost $6 million.<\/p>\n
Dunleavy also said that while Jimmy Butler (torn ACL) and Moses Moody (ruptured patellar tendon) are progressing in their respective rehabs, it remains unclear exactly when either player will return next season.<\/p>\n
New contract for Curry?<\/p>\n
Dunleavy said he expects to have discussions with Curry and his representation about a contract extension this summer. Curry, who still has one year left on his current deal for more than $62 million, said last month that he would be open to discussing a long-term deal this summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, that day will come,\u201d Dunleavy said. \u201cBut I think we\u2019ve always stated we want Steph to finish his career here, be here for as long as he wants. I\u2019m sure those conversations can happen, and you can predict where they\u2019ll be going. Yeah, I don\u2019t see under any scenario where we don\u2019t want to figure out a way to have him finish here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keep or trade the draft pick?<\/p>\n
While Dunleavy and Kerr sounded optimistic about being able to add a talented player with the No. 11 pick in next month\u2019s NBA Draft, Dunleavy left all options open.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lottery pick,\u201d Dunleavy said. \u201cAnd I think in a strong draft we feel like we can get a good player, so we\u2019ll look at it that way. But we\u2019ll look at everything. If there\u2019s offers to the pick to move up, move back, trade for a veteran player that could help us, we\u2019ll definitely look at all that stuff. It\u2019s early in the process right now, and just got through with the combine.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, going through that stuff, starting to evaluate the prospects, but we feel pretty good about 11. Had some good success there before.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dunleavy also left open the possibility that the Warriors could try to make a run at trading for another star. If they go that route, they\u2019d need to use the contracts of either Green or Butler to match salaries.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think as far as trade acquisition stuff, I mean, we\u2019re probably always in the conversation,\u201d Dunleavy said. \u201cFrankly, because we have the draft capital to be. So we\u2019ll always look at stuff, whatever we can do to make the team better that makes sense now and in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dunleavy also said the Warriors are open to having contract extension discussions with Brandin Podziemski, who just completed his third season. Podziemski would become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2027 if he and the Warriors cannot agree on a new deal.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s not just a one-year swan song\u2019<\/p>\n