After over a decade and four championships, Draymond Green, like many of his Golden State Warriors teammates, considered the possibility of starting fresh with a new team. Hey, Klay Thompson did it, and it seems to be working out for him so far.<\/p>\n
However, unlike Thompson, Green ultimately chose to stay with the only NBA franchise he has ever known. As a first-time free agent in June 2023, Green flirted with the idea of joining the Memphis Grizzlies, who offered him a more lucrative contract than Golden State. Yet, advice from his close friend and longtime rival, LeBron James, played a significant role in his decision to remain with the Warriors.<\/p>\n
Draymond on Memphis. Can you imagine?<\/p>\n
Get this: on a recent episode of The Warner House<\/em> podcast with San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, Green opened up about how James influenced his decision to stay in the Bay Area. \u201cThe number one piece of advice that he gave me, and there\u2019s millions of them,\u201d Green said of James, \u201cbut the one that stands out to me the most, more than anything, was when I came to an inflection point of do I leave the Warriors or do I [sign with the Grizzlies]?\u201d<\/p>\n At the time, Green was doing what rich people do, hanging out in Paris during Fashion Week. While everyone was showing off their Louis, Versace, and Gucci fits, he was engaged in deep phone conversations about his future.<\/p>\n Draymond spoke with Rich Paul, his agent, and Warriors executives like Mike Dunleavy and Joe Lacob, while LeBron was right by his side. \u201cHe\u2019s sitting at the table, I gotta answer the phone for Rich [Paul], talking to Mike Dunleavy, talking to Joe Lacob, and he\u2019s right there taking it all in,\u201d Green recalled.<\/p>\n With a lot on the line, he faced a significant decision: Memphis had offered him a three-year, $105 million contract, whereas the Warriors extended a four-year, $100 million deal. The financial difference was considerable, and Memphis also offered the advantage of no state taxes. So, Green turned to LeBron for guidance, asking, \u201cWhat would you do?\u201d<\/p>\n James, who has a deep understanding of the game, as the arguable GOAT he is, gave his candid advice. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to pass up the money,\u201d Green recalled James saying, but the Lakers star emphasized the value of what Green had built with the Warriors. \u201cHe keeps going back to everything Golden State means to me, everything that I\u2019ve done there,\u201d Green said. \u201cAnd ultimately, his advice was more so like, \u2018You\u2019ve just done something so special there, you have a chance to continue there and keep doing it? Why not? You can go to Memphis and do great things and you can possibly be the missing piece to them doing something special, but is it as special as y\u2019all have done? Would that be as special as y\u2019all have done?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Green found this perspective particularly meaningful, especially considering the history between him, LeBron, and the Warriors. \u201cThat\u2019s also someone that, in what\u2019s special that we\u2019ve done, a lot of it he was on the wrong side of,\u201d Green explained. \u201cAnd to give that perspective in those moments, regardless of what side you were on during it, that meant a lot to me.\u201d<\/p>\n LeBron\u2019s wisdom and advice resonated with Green not just because of their friendship but also because of the unique perspective James offered. Having lost to Golden State in several high-stakes playoff series\u2014including in the NBA Finals\u2014LeBron\u2019s understanding of what the Warriors had accomplished made his counsel all the more impactful. Green reflected, \u201cAs someone who had a thing in the palm of his hand, left it and then went back to get it, that\u2019s a different insight.\u201d<\/p>\n When you think about it, joining the Grizzlies would have kept Green in the competitive Western Conference; LeBron knew the right move for his friend. See, that\u2019s what friends are for \u2013 keeping it a buck.<\/p>\n His advice ultimately helped Green see that his bond and legacy with the Warriors were truly special and that remaining in Golden State would offer him the chance to continue building on that success.<\/p>\n In the end, Green chose to remain with the Warriors, keeping the core trio of him, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson intact for the foreseeable future\u2014much to the benefit of the Warriors and perhaps to the chagrin of their rivals, including LeBron.<\/p>\n Dope stuff right there.<\/p>\n Draymond says LeBron played a role in convincing him to re-sign with Golden State instead of joining Memphis in the 2023 offseason, per @TheWarnerHouse_<\/a>.pic.twitter.com\/DWaIzZkL0o<\/a><\/p>\n — Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n