Warriors GM Talks Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis Futures amid Contract, Trade Rumors

The futures of Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis with the Golden State Warriors have been in question this offseason, but general manager Mike Dunleavy called the two a "piece of the puzzle next season."

"I've had conversations with kind of all of our free agents," Dunleavy told reporters Wednesday. "Their representatives. I think we're in a good place with all of them … as far as Draymond and KP, Draymond has the player option, but we're in communication with his group. Then same thing with KP. Both guys, I think, we value, we want here, and we see them as a kind of (a) piece of the puzzle next season."

Dunleavy's comments come amid rumors of the Warriors trading Green if he exercises his $22.7 million contract option for the 2026-27 campaign. ESPN's Anthony Slater reported Wednesday that Golden State expects Green to exercise the option, and a trade would be possible in that scenario.

Slater also noted that "team sources praise Green for the way he handled trade rumors last season and maintain a mutual desire for him to finish his career with the franchise, if everything lines up."

Green has until June 29 to exercise or decline his contract option. If he declines it, the Warriors would presumably try to retain him on a more team-friendly contract.

Porzingis, who is a free agent this offseason, played just 15 games for Golden State last season, but the Warriors are still "hopeful they can re-sign Kristaps Porziņģis on more of a cap-friendly deal after absorbing his $30.7 million expiring contract from Atlanta on Deadline Day in February," NBA insider Jake Fischer reported earlier this month.

The Warriors are looking to capitalize on the final seasons of Stephen Curry's career, but they also have to keep an eye on the future. That means keeping veterans like Green and Porzingis around on affordable deals is ideal this offseason.