Nothing’s certain. But there’s a chance that Draymond Green played his last game for the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night.
Green’s name has been bandied about in trade rumors as the Warriors are believed to be seeking a high-level player (Giannis Antetokounmpo, perhaps?) to pair with Stephen Curry for a run at another championship at the end of Curry’s prime.
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If Green’s 13 1/2-season run with the Warriors is over, he’s at peace with it. He spoke about the possibility of this being the end following Golden State’s 113-94 loss to the 76ers Tuesday night.
Be warned, the language is not safe for work. This is Draymond, after all.
“I think a lot of people want to know how I feel about it, like am I upset about it” Green said. “I’m not at all. If that’s what’s best for this organization, that’s what’s best for the organization.
“I’m not, like, ‘ah, man, they f***ed me over,” or something like that. I don’t really feel that way.”
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Green paused, then offered some perspective that’s likely to draw a few tears from the Golden State fan base if Green, indeed, gets dealt before Thursday’s trade deadline.
“If you would’ve told me 13 1/2 years ago like, ‘yo, I’m gonna hand you this sheet of paper and you can sign it to be in a place for 13 1/2 years, would you sign it?’ And I would’ve signed it faster than you can blink.
“What do I have to sit and worry about? What do I have to, like, be upset about? Like I’ve been here for 13 1/2 years. That’s longer than probably 98% of NBA players have been in one place. And this guy from Saginaw has been in a place for 13 1/2 years.
“I don’t know that it ends at 13 1/2, but if it does, what a f***ing run it’s been.”
With the trade deadline looming, Tuesday’s might have been Green’s last game with Golden State.
(USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect / Reuters)
If it’s over, Green is right. It’s been a hell of a run.
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Green joined the Warriors as a second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. In the 13 1/2 seasons since then, Green has been a lynchpin of one of the NBA’s great dynasties while winning four championships alongside Curry, Klay Thompson and coach Steve Kerr.
He’s been one of the great defenders of his generation. And despite being the third- or fourth-best player on those championship teams, Green’s career will likely conclude with enshrinement in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I’m blessed,” Green said. “I’m lucky. I’m grateful.”