Green’s future with the Warriors was already unclear, punching Jordan Poole at practice last week did not help his cause.
On Monday’s “First Take” with ESPN, Smith said:
“Golden State has got to re-sign two people. The three people looking to get re-signed are Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green. I can tell you right now, Wiggins and Poole are a priority.”
“I can tell you right now that Draymond Green is expecting this to be his last year in Golden State.”
There are two years remaining on Green’s deal with the Golden State Warriors but he can opt out of the 2023-2024 season and become an unrestricted free agent.
“He wants to be a [Los Angeles] Laker. He ain’t going to tell anybody that, but don’t think I don’t know,” Smith said. “He’d prefer to be a Laker if he’s got to leave Golden State.”
“The Warriors are probably hoping he doesn’t opt in because they’d have to pay him on top of the cash they know they have to pay Poole and Wiggins.”
“Because of [the punch], this year, I think is very, very salvageable.”
“Because I think the Draymond Green that wants his money knows – especially since this happened – that he’s got to go out there, he’s got to be on his best behavior and he’s got to bring the game of his life.”
“If he wants a new extended contract from somebody else other than the Warriors.”