In a candid admission on his own podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” Draymond Green disclosed a decision that could have altered the landscape of the league. Last year, in a move that caught many by surprise, Green revealed that he was on the verge of signing with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The revelation came during a recent episode of his podcast, where Green shared the personal turmoil and the behind-the-scenes discussions that led up to the momentous decision. He recounted the emotional phone calls he made to his longtime Golden State Warriors teammates—Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson—as well as head coach Steve Kerr, informing them of his impending departure.
Green described the calls as difficult, saying,
“I called Klay, and I called Steph on separate calls, and Steve, and I was just telling them like, ‘Yo, I’m leaving; I’m going to Memphis.'”
Draymond Green got on his podcast and talked about Klay Thompson leaving reminded him of almost signing with the Memphis Grizzlies
“I called Klay, Steph, and Steve… ‘yo I’m leaving like I’m going to Memphis” pic.twitter.com/3GAVQCxV3V
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) July 3, 2024
The news would have come as a shock to the Warriors’ organization and fans alike, as Green has been a cornerstone of the team’s success over the past decade.
The forward, known for his defensive prowess and fiery competitiveness, has spent his entire 12-year career with the Warriors, contributing to four NBA Championships and reaching the Finals six times since the 2015 season. His partnership with Curry and Thompson has been pivotal in establishing one of the most successful dynasties in recent NBA history.
However, despite the initial declaration, Green ultimately remained with the Warriors, signing a four-year, $100 million deal. He cited the resolution of the situation to the efforts of the Warriors’ management, specifically mentioning the Lacobs and Mike Dunleavy, who was handling his first free agency.
The episode also touched upon the departure of Klay Thompson, who left the team to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. Green expressed his emotions over Thompson’s exit, indicating the depth of their bond formed over twelve seasons of playing together.
