Draymond Green turned down his $27.7MM player option for next season to give the Warriors more “optionality” on the free agent market, relays Kevin Topley of NBC Sports Bay Area. Green addressed his situation Tuesday in the latest edition of his podcast, explaining that there was more involved than financial considerations.

“For me personally, I’m always willing to work with the team on whatever is best, especially at this point in my career,” Green said. “As you all know, I’ve always taken the approach of working with the organization. I’ve been in one place for 14 years — it’s more like a family to me than anything.”

Green compared Golden State to his relationship with Michigan State, saying it feels like an “alma mater” to him and that he’s always “intrigued” by whatever he can do to help the team improve. Green’s decision makes it easier for the Warriors to pursue LeBron James with the $15MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception, but he didn’t offer any inside information during the podcast on how he expects that to work out.

“Free agency always brings different twists and turns,” Green added. “We’ll look around and figure out what’s best.”

There’s more on the Warriors:

• Age concerns played a large role in the pre-draft assessment of Yaxel Lendeborg, but he doesn’t view that as a big deal, per Nick Avila of NBC Sports Bay Area. The Warriors’ pick at No. 11 will turn 24 in September, which is much older than a typical lottery selection. “In a way, it’s giving me extra motivation,” Lendeborg said. “You guys are acting like I’m really 45 years old. I’m 23 years old. Most players get into their prime around this age and get better still. This is going to be my first year in the NBA, this is going to be my first year having an actual offseason, summer training, all that stuff.”
• Coach Steve Kerr expressed concerns in May about having an aging roster with players who need to be rested on back-to-backs, but it looks like the Warriors will be in that position for at least another season, observes Nick Friedell of The Athletic. Since then, the team has reached new deals with Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton and ramped up its pursuit of the 41-year-old James. Friedell’s suggestion for Kerr is to view his roster as two teams — one filled with young guys who can play regularly and the other made up of veterans whose minutes have to be managed.
• The Warriors might have pursued new Mavericks coach Dusty May if Kerr hadn’t re-signed, Brian Windhorst stated on The Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link, hat tip to Austin Veazey of SI). Windhorst indicates that May was on the “short list” of several NBA teams.