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2 Rivals that could look to steal Draymond Green from the Golden State Warriors

By Peter O'Keefe

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Staples Center on October 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Staples Center on October 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Former Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, potentially putting an end to his illustrious career at the Golden State Warriors.

The 33-year-old has maintained complete commitment to the cause this season after a much-publicized incident with Jordan Poole during training camp. Given his continued high level of play, and his overarching legacy in The Bay, it remains unlikely Green will leave the franchise and long-time teammates in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Still, the four-time champion will have some suitors if he were to explore his options.

Draymond Green could be a perfect fit for teams seeking the sort of defense and playmaking that’s made him a Hall of Famer at the Golden State Warriors.

Green has a $27.6 million player option for next season, and there remains a chance he could simply opt in and re-evaluate next offseason. But let’s start with teams who are unlikely to be interested in swaying him away from Golden State. Working for the Warriors is the fact those with major cap space — who could theoretically tempt him with more money than Golden State are willing to — are the young, rebuilding teams who aren’t ready to sign someone like Green. We’re talking about the likes of Houston, San Antonio, Detroit and Charlotte, all teams Green is unlikely to sign with anyway given they’re not nearly in the championship window.

Draymond Green would be unlikely to sign with the Detroit Pistons despite being born and playing his college ball in Michigan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Draymond Green would be unlikely to sign with the Detroit Pistons despite being born and playing his college ball in Michigan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Green’s relationship with LeBron James has raised eyebrows among many in the NBA community, particularly Warrior fans who fear the duo could join up on the Los Angeles Lakers. Think about that from a basketball perspective though — is he the type of player that works effectively with James? A non-shooter in Russell Westbrook panned out as a disaster for the Lakers, and while Green would bring far greater defense and overall basketball IQ, a trio of he, James and Anthony Davis doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

The Lakers are likely to have just over $30 million in available cap space, so while they could theoretically target Green, they’re likely better off spending that on a guard — probably current point-guard D’Angelo Russell or James’ ex-teammate Kyrie Irving.

We can probably take the Lakers off the table, but there’s certainly a couple of teams who could desperately do with Green’s services. Let’s take a look at two that may look to steal him from the defending champions.

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