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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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Could Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers attract Draymond Green away from the Golden State Warriors? (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Could Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers attract Draymond Green away from the Golden State Warriors? (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers are turning into a bit of a laughing stock, always trying different combinations around Damian Lillard and yet always coming up short. Their superstar has been superb, posting 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game this season. But with Portland sliding out of the play-in mix, and the with the workload taking a toll on Lillard, they’ve decided to shut him down completely over the final stretch.

It’s led many to wonder whether Lillard has played his final game in a Portland uniform. Loyal to a fault given his team’s lack of success, the 32-year-old is likely to be the hottest name in trade discussions this offseason.

But the Trail Blazers have been adamant in showing the same loyalty to Lillard as he’s shown them. Perhaps in one last attempt, they try to lure Green to the franchise to give Lillard something he’s scarcely had — a championship-winning, hall of fame level teammate that remains somewhat close to his prime.

Portland has $21.3 million in practical cap space according to Spotrac, meaning Green wouldn’t be going for financial reasons necessarily? Is there anything the Trail Blazers can really offer him? He’d only be going to play with another superstar-level but slightly worse point-guard.

Lillard doesn’t play in the same off-ball fashion that Curry often does either, meaning Green’s playmaking is likely to be less effective than what it is with the splash brothers. Perhaps the opportunity to prove his worth outside the Warriors is an incentive, yet he could probably do that at better quality teams than Portland.

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