Draymond Green Opposes Warriors Trade for All-Star Forward
Draymond Green stands as a pivotal figure in the Golden State Warriors’ organization. Since joining the team in 2014, he has been instrumental in securing four NBA championships. Recently, Green advised against a significant trade for All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen in the summer of 2024. This decision followed Klay Thompson’s departure in free agency to join the Dallas Mavericks.
Green’s Concerns over Trading for Markkanen
The Warriors aimed to fill the gap left by Thompson’s exit, and Markkanen appeared to be an attractive option. However, the Utah Jazz demanded a steep price, seeking a combination of young talent and multiple draft picks. Green cautioned Warriors’ management, emphasizing the potential risks involved. He shared his perspective during a discussion about the trade:
“I’m a big fan of (Markkanen’s) game. But if you want to do something so huge, you better be certain that this is the move. You usually don’t win those things against Danny Ainge. I look at history.”
This statement reflects Green’s awareness of Ainge’s history of making advantageous trades, such as his earlier dealings with the Brooklyn Nets and acquiring high-value assets for Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
Previous Trades and Team Changes
Last season, the Warriors made headlines by trading for Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. They signed him to a substantial two-year, $121 million deal. Following this acquisition, the team demonstrated remarkable performance with a 23-8 record to conclude the season. Unfortunately, their playoff run ended when they faced the Minnesota Timberwolves, with injuries impacting key players, including Steph Curry.
Roster Developments in 2024
The offseason included negotiations with Jonathan Kuminga, whose contract extension was finalized during training camp. Additionally, the team welcomed Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton to strengthen their roster. They also re-signed Gary Payton II, while Seth Curry is anticipated to join the team this November.
Green’s Bet with Butler
In a playful twist to kick off the new season, Draymond Green made a friendly wager with Jimmy Butler over their free throw shooting percentages. Butler believes he can achieve a better stat than Curry. He stated:
“I got a bet with Dray that I got to shoot a better percentage than number 30 on our team.”
Butler boasts an impressive career free-throw shooting percentage of 84.3%, while Curry leads the NBA with a remarkable 91.1% average. In their season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, Butler converted all of his 16 free throws, contributing to a 119-109 victory. Curry also succeeded in his attempts, both going 8-for-8, setting up an exciting competition.
As the season progresses, the dynamics within the Warriors will be closely monitored, especially under the significant influence of Draymond Green.
