Draymond

Green

Had Green opted into the final season of his contract, he would have earned a base salary of $27.7 million. However, the decision to opt out gives the Warriors more freedom to be active in free agency, with LeBron James being mentioned as a potential target. Also, the team is reportedly interested in acquiring Anthony Davis, who did not play a game for the Wizards after being acquired from the Mavericks. Given his importance to the franchise, it is difficult to envision a scenario in which Green is not back with the Warriors next season.

Horford declined his player option, but is staying with the Warriors on a two-year deal. Horford turned 40 earlier this month and is entering his 20th season in the NBA. He’ll be the 13th player in league history to reach 20 seasons. Horford’s return is the first move in securing Golden State’s frontline for the upcoming season. The organization is in talks to bring Kristaps Porzingis back on a short-term contract and expects Draymond Green to exercise his player option. A part-time player at this point of his career, Horford doesn’t carry much fantasy value. He averaged career-lows in points, rebounds and minutes last season.

After logging 26 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Kings, Porziņǵis played 24 minutes on Sunday. The lingering question going into the Play-In Tournament is how much the 7-foot-2 center can play, especially with the Warriors needing two wins to reach the playoffs. Draymond Green (back) was not available on Sunday; getting him back for Wednesday’s rematch with the Clippers will clearly help matters in the frontcourt. But in Porziņǵis and Al Horford (5/4/2 in 19 minutes), the Warriors have two veteran post players whose minutes have been limited for most of the season.

Green will sit out Sunday’s regular-season finale due to lower back injury management. With the Warriors locked into the No. 10 seed, the priority is ensuring that he’s healthy for Wednesday’s Play-In game against either the Clippers or the Trail Blazers.

While both were available for Friday’s loss to the Kings, Richard was limited to three minutes off the bench while Green started and logged 24. If Richard can’t play, his minutes can be absorbed by the Warriors’ other perimeter reserves, such as De’Anthony Melton and Pat Spencer. A void left by Green would be more challenging to fill, with Gary Payton II being one of the options.

Porziņǵis, who was limited to 23 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Rockets due to foul trouble, will miss Tuesday’s game with a sore right knee. Draymond Green may slide into the center role for stretches, and Charles Bassey may once again log rotation minutes.

Porziņģis pops up on the injury report with a knee injury, which is not a good sign this close to the playoffs. Draymond Green will likely occupy the center minutes if Porziņģis is unavailable, with Gary Payton II or Will Richard filling out the open starting spot.

Having totaled ten assists in his previous two games, Green matched his season high on Sunday with 12. Even better for fantasy managers, the Warriors’ forward was responsible for just one turnover. With foul trouble limiting Kristaps Porziņǵis (nine points, eight rebounds and three assists) to 23 minutes, Green’s performance was one reason why the Warriors had a chance to win in the final seconds. Stephen Curry’s return may cut into the value of some other Warriors, but Green may receive a boost from the comfort level the two veterans share.

Green didn’t have a great night shooting the basketball, but the overall stat line showed why he’s still rostered in more than 75 percent of Yahoo! leagues. In addition to the rebounds and assists, the veteran forward was responsible for four defensive contributions. The three blocks matched Green’s season high, which he last reached on November 25 against the Kings. The Warriors play once more in Week 23, when they host the Rockets on Sunday.

The Warriors will go with an uncommon starting unit, one that features two first-time starters. Golden State has dealt with injuries throughout the year, but may be getting Stephen Curry back in the lineup soon, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday. Nonetheless, the Warriors will need to find their rhythm as the regular season nears its end.