Draymond Green returns to Golden State for $27M after Warriors' pursuit of LeBron James falls flat

Draymond Green is staying put, and it cost the Golden State Warriors exactly what it would've cost them all along.

The 36-year-old is returning on a one-year, $27.7 million contract, according to Klutch Sports.

Back in June, Green declined his original $27.7 million player option to help Golden State create cap space for a run at LeBron James. The Warriors believed they had a legitimate shot at pairing James with Stephen Curry.

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Instead, James chose Philadelphia, signing a two-year deal with the 76ers. Golden State's LeBron gamble failed, leaving the Warriors right back where they started with Green.

The deal does not include a no-trade clause. It also pushes Golden State over the first apron, limiting the Warriors to veteran minimum additions while preserving future cap flexibility.

Both Green and James are represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports. Green's opt-out gave Golden State its cleanest path to LeBron while leaving the Warriors with virtually no realistic scenario in which they could turn around and offer him less if the recruiting pitch failed.

Once LeBron picked Philadelphia, re-signing Green became the obvious move. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. had even less incentive to alienate a franchise cornerstone after missing on James, especially after reports last season linked Green to trade discussions with Milwaukee.

The one concession Dunleavy secured was keeping the deal to a single year. Green isn't the athlete he was during Golden State's dynasty years. The shorter contract preserves future flexibility while avoiding a longer commitment to an aging star.

The Warriors get their emotional enforcer and defensive anchor back, but they're still paying premium money for a roster that looks well past its championship window.

They cleared cap space chasing LeBron, struck out, then circled back and paid Green exactly what he would've earned anyway.

Sometimes the biggest move of the offseason is paying for the one that never happened.

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