Star Draymond Green is not a fan of the NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement. More specifically, Green dislikes the environment that the CBA has fostered. However, one former executive believes Green’s ire is misframed.
Green aired his grievance on Threads, saying he was “baffled at the fact that NBA free agency is over.” He added that “it never really started” due to the CBA.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who spent 20 years with the Brooklyn Nets, respectfully disagreed.
“Why free agency has shrunk is because nearly 50 potential free agents this summer decided that guaranteed money was too valuable and signed extensions,” Marks posted on X on July 8, arguing players now have more “earning power.”
“We also need to factor in that teams are allowed to negotiate with their own free agents the day after the NBA Finals. That has taken a big bite out of free agents available.”
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Marks added that there is currently $5.3 billion in player salaries in the NBA. That is the same as in 2024-25 and “will only increase” as offseason signings are finalized.
Green, though, cited his own experience, even beyond the Warriors, in his message. Green’s posts notably come two years after he agreed to return to the Warriors in free agency on a four-year, $100 million contract.
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Green called his perspective “extremely unique,” including his relationship with New Orleans Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars, while seemingly admitting past interest in being president of the NBA Players Association.
“One can only point to the ‘New CBA’ and the 2nd apron(hard cap) for absolutely putting an end to free agency as we once knew it. Sadly, I sit here and watch so many players overplay the market and not understand what they are up against with new rules,” Green said in the multi-post “diary” entry on July 7. “I as a ‘VET’ in this league watch players mismanage their careers and before they know it, they look back like DAMN, where to next?
“Regardless of where I decide to let these thoughts out, I should’ve been the Players association president lol. I could’ve helped a lot [shrugging person emoji].”
Green praised all that the league (and fans) afford the players, but lamented the CBA illiteracy.
Green has a player option for the final year of his contract (2026-27). Washington Wizards guard C.J. McCollum is the current NBAPA president, elected in 2021 to succeed former Warriors PG and current free agent Chris Paul.
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Paul’s tenure lasted eight years. The veteran was elected to his first four-year term in 2013, taking over for Derek Fisher. Paul was re-elected in 2017.
Green’s opportunity to run is coming.
Draymond Green Sends Clear Message About Jonathan Kuminga
Marks tacked on that he did not “want to hear” about the second apron affecting restricted free agency, pointing to a lack of offers in recent years.
“The RFA are impacted because more players extended, thus taking teams off the board to spend in FA,” Marks said in the follow-up post, noting Deandre Ayton and Matisse Thybulle are the only two players in the past three seasons to sign offer sheets.
“History has shown that even if teams had $$ to spend, they don’t on an offer sheet to RFA’s.”
However, Green specified that he was not referring to RFAs, or at least not Jonathan Kuminga. Green said his Warriors teammate “will be great and make a bunch of money.”
Sacramento has been linked to Jonathan Kuminga, but @anthonyVslater believes the forward is most likely to stay put.
“I think all of the market dynamics at play will lead him back to the Warriors at a compromise contract that can potentially be traded on December 15th.”
Kuminga is one of several restricted free agents whose situation is at a standstill.
The Warriors have the right of first refusal on any offer sheet Kuminga could sign in restricted free agency. That gives them and other teams in their situation leverage. But Marks disagreed with Green’s point, regardless of his take on his Warriors teammate.
