sports
Draymond Green Declines Option While LaVine and VanVleet Opt In
Draymond Green is declining his $27.7 million player option with the Golden State Warriors. James Harden is declining his $42.3 million option with the Cleveland Cavaliers while negotiating a new multiyear contract. Zach LaVine and Fred VanVleet are opting into their respective player options.
Jul 19, 8:47 AM·1m read1 source
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Draymond Green is declining his $27.7 million player option with the Golden State Warriors to become a free agent, ESPN reported. The decision gives the Warriors flexibility to pursue other players in free agency. James Harden is declining his $42.3 million player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2026-27 season and is working on a new multiyear deal with the team, according to ESPN.
The Cavaliers acquired Harden from the LA Clippers in February in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick. Zach LaVine is opting into his $49 million player option with the Sacramento Kings for the 2026-27 season, ESPN reported. LaVine averaged 19.2 points per game over 39 games last season.
Fred VanVleet is opting into his $25 million player option with the Houston Rockets for the 2026-27 season, ESPN reported. VanVleet missed the entire 2025-26 season after suffering a torn ACL during an offseason workout in September 2025. The LA Clippers and Toronto Raptors are in trade discussions for Kawhi Leonard, who has one year and $50.3 million remaining on his contract for the 2026-27 season, ESPN reported.
Leonard's representatives informed other teams that he would only sign an extension with the Raptors if the Clippers did not keep him. The Charlotte Hornets are sending Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick, ESPN reported. Free agency officially starts on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
ET. Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million max extension six months after his trade to Miami is finalized. Jimmy Butler is recovering from an ACL injury with the Golden State Warriors.
