The Golden State Warriors aren’t throwing in the towel just yet.
After trading Jordan Poole for Chris Paul and being linked to reports about potentially trading Jonathan Kuminga, it’s clear new GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. is pushing his chips to the middle of the table on another title pursuit. But that won’t be happening without first bringing back Draymond Green in free agency.
All signs point to the sides agreeing to a deal, but Green is free to sign wherever he chooses, and pre-draft (and pre-Poole trade) odds at DraftKings gave the Lakers a decent enough chance to land the four-time champion.
Odds for where Draymond Green plays next (via Draftkings on 6/19)
- Golden State Warriors (+150)
- Los Angeles Lakers (+500)
- Dallas Mavericks (+700)
- Phoenix Suns (+800)
- Houston Rockets (+1500)
- Miami Heat (+2000)
A lot has changed since those odds were created, including Bradley Beal’s trade to the Suns, but assuming these six teams are still most likely to pursue Green, let’s rank them by fit.
6
Miami Heat
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Green and Bam Adebayo do a lot of the same things on offense as far as pushing the break on rebounds, dribble hand-offs and conducting traffic, so this wouldn’t be the best fit — even if the defense becomes a monster to deal with.
5
Houston Rockets
AP Photo/Maria Lysaker
The Rockets, as currently constructed, don’t really fit Green’s timeline for a title pursuit, though that could change this offseason. They apparently plan to be aggressive in free agency, and Green would be a great mentor for their young guys.
4
Dallas Mavericks
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Dallas could absolutely use Green in its defensive front-court, but outside of a few picks set, he’d be an almost useless offensive player with the first unit with how often Luka Doncic has the ball in his hands and operates inside the arc.
3
Los Angeles Lakers
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Green and Anthony Davis would be an incredible defensive front-court and high-low threat on offense, and because LeBron James has been much more willing to play off the ball in his later years, Green could be involved as a facilitator on offense. The problem would be the team’s lack of shooting with those three on the floor together.
2
Phoenix Suns
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I was almost tempted to put the Suns first because there’s an obvious need for Green’s defensive ability and intensity next to Deandre Ayton (if they keep him), and Green could play a de facto point guard role for all of the scorers on this team. The Kevin Durant reunion is also interesting. It’s a great fit.
1
Golden State Warriors
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In the end, the Warriors take the top spot because not only do they have the shooters that have worked so well with Green over the past decade, they also have the chemistry. Green, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson just know each other too well. They don’t have to think about what the other is doing. Kevon Looney is also great next to Green.
