Four-time NBA champion Draymond Green almost left the Golden State Warriors for the Memphis Grizzlies last summer.
Green was an unrestricted free agent last offseason. Anthony Slater of The Athletic has more:
“Green had the ultimate say,” Slater wrote. “The Grizzlies were in lucrative pursuit but were a form of leverage against the incumbent Warriors. Was there even a moment Green truly believed he’d leave his only NBA home for Memphis? ‘An eensy bit of time,’ he said. What’s an eensy bit? Two hours? ‘Just an eensy bit,’ Green repeated, bringing his index finger and thumb a centimeter apart.”
Green wound up re-signing with the Warriors on a four-year, $100 million contract. The one-time Defensive Player of the Year has spent his entire career in Golden State. Green has made four All-Star teams, two All-NBA teams and eight All-Defensive teams.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
“What I need to be for this organization,” Green said. “The growth I need to show. Helping young guys out. Mentoring. I want to see this organization not only do great while I’m here but after. I’ll be mentioned with this organization forever. And this will be home forever. So you want to see it in a great spot. And I have a direct impact on how that works.”
Green is averaging 9.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.9 blocks this season while shooting 48.9% from the field, 42.1% from beyond the arc and 80.5% from the free-throw line. The Warriors are 21-24. They are in 12th place in the Western Conference standings.
“Who we are, what we stand for is enough of a burden,” Green said. “We’re never expected to lose. There’s a standard that’s been set. So for me, that’s enough burden. So I don’t go around thinking every day like, ‘F—, we got to make these games up that I missed.’ But what I do know is if it doesn’t get turned around, then that’s kind of what’s going to be said.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
The Warriors have played in six NBA Finals and won four titles in the Green-Klay Thompson-Stephen Curry era. All three players are expected to spend their entire careers in Golden State.
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