Draymond Green wasn’t sure if Tuesday marked his final game with the Warriors, so he delivered comments worthy of a farewell address (Twitter video link), writes Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. Green made an unexpected appearance at the podium after the game ended to talk to reporters about what his time in Golden State has meant to him, just in case he gets moved by Thursday’s deadline.
“I think a lot of people want to know how I feel about it, like am I upset about it? I’m not at all,” Green said. “If that’s what’s best for this organization, that’s what’s best for the organization. I’m not like, ‘Oh man, they f–ked me over or something like that. I don’t really feel that way. If you would have told me 13 and a half years ago, like, ‘Yo, I’m going to hand you this sheet of paper and you can sign it to be in a place for 13 and a half years, would you sign it?’ And I would have signed it faster than you can blink.
“So what do I have to sit and worry about? What do I have to be upset about? I’ve been here for 13 and a half years. That’s longer than probably 98 percent of NBA players have been in one place, this guy from Saginaw has been in a place for 13 and a half years.”
Green’s name has popped up recently in trade rumors, particularly in the Warriors’ negotiations with the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. There’s an assumption that Milwaukee wouldn’t keep him, so it will likely be a three-team deal or he’ll be moved elsewhere in a separate trade. Green holds a $27.7MM player option for next season, so he’ll have a say in determining his future regardless of whether he’s traded or not.
On Tuesday, he was focused on the incredible career he’s had with the Warriors and the legacy of being a four-time NBA champion.
“I don’t know that it ends at 13 and a half, but if it does, what a f–king run it has been,” Green continued. “I’ll take the fine for it. What a f–king run it has been. So that’s just how I feel. I don’t sleep well after games. So if I lose sleep tonight, I promise y’all it’s not because I think I’m betrayed. I just don’t really sleep well after the game.
“But I’m blessed, I’m lucky, I’m grateful. … I don’t know that it ends or whatnot. I don’t. We’ll all see. But if it does, it does. All good things must come to an end at some point. That’s kind of my sentiment and how I feel.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Meeting with reporters before Tuesday’s game, Steve Kerr said this is the first time since he took over as head coach that Green’s name has “really been mentioned” in trade discussions, per Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required). “This has definitely been more difficult than most,” Kerr added. “Last year’s (trade deadline) was very difficult as well. We’ve had a lot of years where nobody was really overly concerned about anything, but these last two years, there’s been a lot of chatter and it puts guys on edge for sure.” Green said the idea of leaving Golden State “got real” for him when Kerr asked how his wife is handling the trade speculation.
- Stephen Curry, who’s considered to be the Warriors’ lone untouchable player in Antetokounmpo trade talks, told Howard Beck of The Ringer that he wants to finish his career as a one-team player. “I never would see myself be in a situation where I’m chasing another championship anywhere else but here,” Curry said. “There’s a certain mentality that we’re all trying to figure this out together. But it doesn’t pacify the desire to win.”
- Curry was profoundly affected by the torn ACL that knocked Jimmy Butler out for the rest of the season, Beck adds. “I don’t think I’ve stopped thinking about it since he got hurt, to be honest,” Curry said. “Just the human nature part of it comes in, where you feel like things change drastically. … Me and Coach and Draymond talk about it a good amount, the way our contracts are aligned, the fact that last year, we had such a clear identity and we were so close to getting over the hump.”
From a business standpoint, they trade him, he picks up his option, and resigns with GSW the year after on a cheap deal year to year and retires with the Warriors… and the Warriors extend Giannis and try to make one more run with Steph.
From a business standpont, the warriors could do a lot better than Green.
2027-28 GSW:
Giannis/Joker, Steph, Jimmy, Lebron, Dray, Klay, Middleton
Oh, you have Jokic on the Warriors now? Why not just put SGA, Wemby, and Luka there while you’re at it.
Because they cant all fit on the salary cap? Its either Giannis or Joker, along with Steph and Jimmy on a smaller deal, and the last guys all taking minimums to create a superteam. Use your head.
It was rhetorical, David. Because the chances of Jokic ending up on the Warriors is literally 0.0%.
We probably felt the same way about Doncic.
So 0.1% :D
Nico isn’t the Nuggets GM, so it ain’t happening. Especially not for next season.
Green has the correct mindset in life.
Dammit for a second I thought Draymond was traded
I got a bad feeling the trade deadline will pass and once again the warriors make no moves. Curry knee is not in good shape so maybe be a seller and get some draft picks and try again next year.
But you hate every move proposed! Pick a struggle!
I’ve always found Draymond to be a bit of an contraction. Mature and perspective in some ways, clownish and reckless in others, particularly in the heat of the moment, all contained within a very high BBIQ mind. Or maybe that’s less of a contradiction and more about a guy who simply does not have much emotional control.
He’d probably make a good vet presence somewhere, all the warts aside. I guess he’d sort of be like CP3 in some ways: grating but ultimately helpful and good to have around. Granted, he’s not declined enough yet to say that’s the only value he can bring even if his days as a plus starter are over.
Mature and perspective in life. Clownish and reckless in a game. Seems like he’s got things figured out just fine.
Draymond brings a defensive and mind games edge that many playoff teams do not currently have (Wolves, Spurs, Knicks, Lakers, Rockets).
More topics about the Warriors.
He’s a guy who’s been there thirteen and a half years
Draymond’s interviews have been very odd the last couple of days. Something seems up. I really don’t think it’s a Giannis deal but I think he might be on the move. Kerr asking him if he’s talked to his son about getting traded is especially interesting.
Something’s up and I’m terrified of a Davey victory lap lmao.
And folks legit try to call dude a locker room cancer…