While there’s no way to be sure, Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green could be in the midst of his final playoff run with the team.
The 33-year-old will have the ability to enter free agency this offseason if he turns down his player option for the 2023-24 campaign. Because of that, there has been a lot of speculation about what’s ahead for him, and he even said earlier this year that the “writing’s on the wall” when it comes to his future with the Warriors.
One NBA scout recently addressed the idea of Green joining the Houston Rockets and expressed some hesitancy about that possibility.
“I’m on the fence with Draymond,” the scout told The Athletic. “He’s a veteran and knows what it takes to win, but he’s not necessarily a stabilizer and if he got frustrated with [Jordan] Poole, I can see him struggling with the same stuff with the Rockets.”
The scout’s mention of Poole seems like a reference to the infamous offseason incident that occurred this past October when Green punched the Warriors youngster.
Draymond’s punch on Jordan Poole pic.twitter.com/lsvlCUwZcC
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) October 7, 2022
Poole is just 23 years old, and his youthfulness shows at times. For that reason, it’s interesting to consider how Green would do on a Rockets team that is loaded with young players.
It’s worth noting that Houston is entering a new era after hiring Ime Udoka, so the culture of the team may shift in the coming months. It figures to be a big offseason for the franchise.
Green likely isn’t thinking about the offseason just yet. His Warriors just started a huge series against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, with the Lakers taking Game 1 on the road.
The Warriors have title hopes once again this season, and Green is looking to help his squad realize them. The veteran is trying to win his fifth ring with the organization after earning his fourth last season.
Some believe that Green would struggle outside of Golden State’s system if he were to join a new team, but his defensive versatility figures to make him an impactful player wherever he spends the remainder of his career.
If this is his last run with the Warriors, he’d certainly love nothing more than to go out with a bang.
