Draymond Green isn’t ready to set an end date for his career. The Golden State Warriors forward told The Athletic’s Sam Amick that retirement isn’t on his mind just yet — not while he still enjoys the grind and feels physically strong.
“If you asked me this a year ago, I would have told you a year or two more,” Green said. “But my body feels better and better every year. I’ve learned more about my body and what I need to do. I still enjoy competing at the highest level.”
Now in his 14th NBA season, the 35-year-old has logged 1,057 total games between the regular season and playoffs. Despite the mileage, Green said he continues to find motivation in playing alongside Stephen Curry and coach Steve Kerr, both central figures in Golden State’s four championships.
“So I wouldn’t necessarily say a year or two, like I would have said a year ago,” he added. “I don’t really put a number on it, either. Like I’ve always said, the game will tell me when it’s time to go.”
Green emphasized that as long as he enjoys competing and feels healthy, he sees no reason to walk away. “As long as I enjoy it and can give what I need to give to be at an elite level, I don’t foresee a reason to tie my shoe strings together and throw them over the telephone rope yet,” he said.
Through seven games this season, Green is averaging 8.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in just over 29 minutes per contest. He’s shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three, showing efficiency that has bolstered Golden State’s 4-3 start.
The Warriors continue to rely on Green’s defensive leadership and playmaking, particularly as they adjust to a younger supporting cast. His influence remains evident in the team’s balance, where veterans and rising players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski share the floor.
Green also discussed how the NBA’s financial landscape has impacted defenders like him. “If you can kind of score the ball, you get paid,” he said. “You get paid more for being a 3-point specialist than being a defensive specialist.”
While Green acknowledges younger defenders such as Victor Wembanyama are raising the bar, he remains focused on his role and longevity. “I’m in a space where I can fully look at this through one lens — how is the basketball?” he said. “The grind of it, what I’m giving, the competition on a nightly basis — all of that stuff is still very much intact.”
