One of the reasons that the Golden State Warriors have gotten off to a 5-1 start this season has been their performance on the defensive side of the ball. They have the third-best defensive rating in the NBA, which is buoying their offense, which is 16th in offensive rating.
One of the driving forces behind that stellar defensive performance is Draymond Green. Green came into the 2021-22 season ready to go after playing for Team USA in the Olympics over the summer. He was in shape and hit the ground running once training camps opened up.
He has proven that he still deserves to be in the discussion when people bring up the best defensive players in the NBA. His versatility on that end of the court is very much still there, as he can defend all five positions.
At 31-years old, Green still has some good basketball ahead of him. However, could the end of his career come with a different team in California?
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On a recent edition of the HoopsHype podcast, Green’s future with the Warriors was discussed. The Los Angeles Lakers were mentioned as a possible landing spot down the line, along with the Portland Trail Blazers.
“Draymond has two years left. Like you said, he’s had some flirtations with the Lakers and even the Blazers a bit. His game isn’t quite again like Curry’s is. I’d say if the Warriors lowball him coming off his next contract or whatever happens over the next couple of years, I could see his situation morphing into more of a breakup.”
It would be shocking to see Green playing alongside anyone that isn’t Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in a Golden State Warriors uniform, but there is certainly a chance it occurs. He has been courted by other teams when hitting free agency but returned to the Warriors. If they press their luck and try retaining him on a lower than an anticipated offer, they could run the risk of him departing and signing elsewhere.
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The ideal scenario would be for Draymond Green to remain in Golden State with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson for the duration of their careers. Alas, things don’t always work out as hoped. If it comes down to money, there is certainly a chance that Green finishes up his career with a different organization. Whether it’s the Los Angeles Lakers remains to be seen.
