Warriors' Updated NBA Salary Cap as Draymond Declines Contract Option Amid LeBron, AD Rumors

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green made a surprising move that could facilitate the team's pursuit of stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Green is declining his $27.7 million player option to become a free agent, which will give the Warriors "time and space to pursue" a trade for Davis from the Washington Wizards and to "convince" James to sign as a free agent.

Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, Golden State was $20 million below the first apron before Green declined his option, and Monday's move could open up the $15 million non-tax mid-level exception that would give the team "enough flexibility to build the bench."

According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, Green declining his option isn't a surprise, and it indicates that the Warriors plan to be aggressive this offseason.

"For weeks, team and league sources indicated that Green would turn down the one-year financial guarantee and the Warriors would work with him on a new contract -- lowering his salary for next season -- only if it freed up the immediate flexibility for Golden State to secure a significant roster upgrade," Slater reported. He went on to call Green's decision "a blaring indication that the franchise has something brewing and signals a shift in his and the franchise's belief in what they can possibly pull off this summer."

To make matters even more interesting, Green, James and Davis are all represented by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. That familiarity could facilitate a decision to join forces in Golden State.

There's still a chance that James chooses to return to the Los Angeles Lakers, but Slater reported that "negotiations with Los Angeles in the lead-up to Tuesday's free agency, however, have gone nowhere."

Davis and James won a championship together with the Lakers, so they would surely welcome a reunion this offseason. Slater noted that acquiring Davis from the Wizards would likely require the Warriors to trade veteran wing Jimmy Butler III, who is recovering from ACL surgery. Butler is making $56.8 million next season on an expiring contract, which would match Davis' $58.4 million salary in 2026-27.

It sounds like the Warriors are looking to shake up the league by creating a "Big 4" with James, Davis, Green and star point guard Stephen Curry, so it will be exciting to see how things play out this summer as Golden State looks to re-position itself as a leading NBA title contender.