Golden State Warriors anchor Draymond Green has wreaked havoc in the NBA for a long time. Since getting drafted in 2012, the Michigan State alum has been an extremely important piece to the Warriors’ dynasty. 12 years and four championships later, Green shared his retirement plans. And it seems like it will happen sooner rather than later.
On the most recent episode of his podcast, The Draymond Green Show, Green spoke with Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Pierce. In the episode, they both talked about Green’s infamous “they don’t love you like that” remark during Pierce’s retirement tour in 2017. When talking about a potential retirement tour for himself, Green quickly shut down the idea, but he revealed he plans on playing “2-3 more” years.
Draymond Green told Paul Pierce that he would not be announcing his farewell tour in 2-3 years
“I can’t because somebody is gonna do me like I said to you and then I’m f*cked” 😂😂😂
(🎥 @TheVolumeSports )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 7, 2024
Green has had a successful NBA career up to this point, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Green is an eight-time All-Defensive Team selection and the 2016-17 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, on top of his four rings, Green is a four-time NBA All-Star and a two-time All-NBA selection.
Draymond Green Reveals Retirement Plans
Draymond Green’s Retirement Should Be in 2026
Green’s contract includes a player option for the 2026-27 NBA season. By this point, Green will be 36 years old. On the surface, it would make sense for this to also signify Green’s final season in the league. However, there is a much more poetic time for Green to retire.
Warriors teammate Stephen Curry and head coach Steve Kerr are both under contract for Golden State through the 2025-26 season. Additionally, Klay Thompson is set to be a free agent this summer. Although nothing is official yet, Thompson has expressed his desire to stay in Golden State. In theory, it makes sense for Thompson to sign a deal that expires the same year Curry’s and Kerr’s do. If Green wants to go out at the same time, it would be easy for him to decline his player option instead.
The four of them broke records and changed the game together. Retiring together as well is a perfect way for the Warriors dynasty to officially close its final chapter.
Is Draymond a Hall of Famer?
According to Basketball Reference, Green has a 76.8% chance of making it to the Basketball Hall of Fame. For reference, this percentage puts him ahead of actual Hall of Famers Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, and Gail Goodrich, just to name a few. Last year, Green talked about believing he has a case to be inducted:
“I think I’ll — and I hope I’ll — be in the Hall of Fame,” Green told The Athletic’s David Aldridge earlier this week in Washington DC. “But my route won’t be the typical route. You won’t go and look at my stats and say, ‘This guy’s a surefire Hall of Famer.’ But if you know the game of basketball, and you look at the game of basketball, then I think I have a case.
Though his numbers don’t jump out, it’s clear Green has made an impact in the league as one of the most tenacious and versatile defenders in league history. Furthermore, Green’s accomplishments speak for themself. Either way, that day won’t come for a while. For now, it will be worth watching Green’s final years in the NBA as part of one of the greatest dynasties in league history.
