Warriors Make Unexpected Move With Forward's New Deal

The Golden State Warriors may have lost Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala this summer but they have not sat still and have ensured they retain their core while making some key additions. They re-signed Klay Thompson on a five-year $190 million deal, landed 2019 All-Star D’Angelo Russell from Brooklyn Nets and most recently convinced Draymond Green to commit his long-term future to the team rather than enter free agency next summer.

The signing of Green ensures that three – Stephen Curry and Thompson - of the original core that began the Warriors dynasty are tied down long-term, but the former’s contract is the first of its kind a Warriors player part of this dynasty has got when signing a long-term deal. The three-time NBA champion, who signed a four-year $100 million extension has got opt-out clause after the 2022-23 campaign.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the opt-out clause on Green’s latest contract extension is something both Curry and Thompson don’t have in their long-term deals. Curry is contracted until the end of the 2022 season, while Thompson’s contract will end after the 2023-24 season.

The opt-out clause is not the only clause in Green’s contract as the power forward has also got a 15 percent trade kicker inserted into the deal, according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes. The 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, however, is likely to have left a lot of money on the table considering he could have got the pick of his deals next summer when he became an unrestricted free agent.

Meanwhile, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed his delight after Green committed his future to the franchise. He believes the three core players being signed up for the long-term will help the team transition into the next phase.

"I've been talking to Bob [Myers] about it and Draymond and I'm thrilled for him, nobody deserves it more," Kerr told reporters during Team USA’s basketball training camp in Las Vegas, as quoted on SF Gate. "I'm just excited that we've got Draymond, Steph, Klay, guys, you know, who've been the core of this thing at the center along with Andre, Shaun Livingston and Kevin who have all departed."

"But the three guys...of the main guys who have been here since the beginning, to have them locked up, so that we can transition into the next era is really critical," he said. "So I'm really thrilled Draymond is back on the team."