An NBA champion believes Draymond Green should leave the Golden State Warriors this summer and sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins, who won the 2008 championship with the Boston Celtics, thinks Green and the Lakers should join forces this offseason. Green can become an unrestricted free agent if he declines his 2023-24 player option.
“If I’m Draymond, I’m trying to get to LA, and if I’m LA, I’m trying to get Draymond Green,” Perkins said.
Green has a close relationship with Lakers superstar LeBron James. Both All-Stars are represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Back in October, Stephen A. Smith of ESPN said Green wants to play for the Lakers. The four-time champion punched Warriors shooting guard Jordan Poole in the face in training camp, so his future with Golden State is up in the air.
“I can tell you right now that Draymond Green is expecting this to be his last year in Golden State,” Smith said. “Now he wanna be a Laker. He ain’t gonna tell anybody that, but don’t think I don’t know. He’d prefer to be a Laker if he gotta leave Golden State.”
The Warriors lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals in six games. Green averaged 9.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists in the 2023 playoffs versus the Sacramento Kings and Lakers while shooting 46.2% from the field and 25.0% from beyond the arc.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wants the franchise to re-sign Green if the one-time Defensive Player of the Year opts out of his contract. Kerr doesn’t think the Dubs are championship contenders without Green.
“Look, if Draymond is not back, we’re not a championship contender,” Kerr said. “We know that. He’s that important to winning and to who we are. I absolutely want him back.”
According to Anthony Slater and Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Warriors “intend to discuss a new multi-year contract with Green” once free agency starts. However, if Green isn’t happy with the money Golden State is offering, he could meet with the Lakers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
One of the best defenders in NBA history, Green signed a four-year, $99.7 million contract with the Warriors in August 2019. He made $25.8 million this season.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
