The Draymond Green Show - "Baffling" Kevin Durant Narratives + Free Agency Recap

FanDuel sports Book makes it easy. What's up, everybody? Welcome back to The Draymond Green Show. This is episode and as you know, we are getting settled into this offseason now. But as we know, there is never an offseason in the NBA. I think that's one thing the league has done is you're gonna get this NBA just like you're

gonna get this podcast all the time. And the reality is in a very round about way, it's credits back to Lebron James for the decision which was which kind of created NBA free agency as we know it and here we are. I mean, it's constant news after news after news, AFTERNOWS. Now we're in Summer League, got Summer League kicking off that will dominate the majority of July

and then headed into August. August is probably the only month of the year where you get very little NBA and I think that's amazing when you take into account that there's twelve months in the year and the NBA has found a way to be important for eleven of those months. I think it's absolutely amazing. And that's where

we are. Since we've last recorded, There's been a lot of things that happened in the NBA Free agency, plus the things that's taken place in the Brooklyn organization with you know, the Kyrie Irvan to the Lakers talks and blah blah blah, and then obviously to Kevin durant Um requesting the trade rumors and all of that jazz. Let's

get right to that. Actually, before we get right into that, I know everybody's like, why you have just had on what number one it's green, Number two it's Michigan State green, and number three it got the Michigan State s on it. What is the significance that it had today? Well, I am a college graduate. For those that don't know that. So this is my album Other. But I actually recently just found out that I am getting inducted into the

Michigan State Hall of Fame, which is absolutely insane. Um Our Athletic director Alan Haller called me and he's talking to me on the phone and one of my homeboys, she's just sitting there and I started, like, I literally got chills down my arms when he told me, and she's just sitting there like, dude, you got goose bumps? What's going on? And I couldn't. I'm just sitting there like, wow,

all right, hall of Fame. That's forever, Like we we won't be here forever, like will we'll leave and you know, you know, we'll leave this world. But that's the forever thing, Like as long as this world is here, that's forever. And as a kid who went to Michigan State and everybody told me I was dumb for going there, I would never play there, like I'm going to the Hall

of Fame. Absolutely insane, And so I really just want to thank coaches oh um for pushing me the way number one for it recruiting me to be a Michigan State spartan, but number two for pushing me the way he did, for tapping into something that I didn't even know it could be tapped into it boy myself, and teaching me how to work hard. I can't thank him enough. It's changed my life. And to be going into the Hall of Fame, I mean, that's just it doesn't get

much better than that. So I'm honored. I'm looking forward to it. It will be in September and I can't wait. Um. I was told I am the eighth person that was selected to the Hall of Fame the first year of eligibility, So essentially, I'm a first ballot Hall of Famer for you haters out there, and I'm thrilled about it. And I man, I'm honestly out of law for words right now just speaking about it. So with that being said, I'm a role right into this Free Agency talks. But

before we get into that, let's talk Brooklyn nets. That was something very interesting that I've been thinking about. And the reason I've been thinking about it is because the immediately the first thing you saw when when it was announced that Kevin Durant requested the trade was the whole narrative starting Katie's running from this. He's doing this, um, you know, it gets hard, he doesn't stay blah blah blah. And I sat there and I asked myself if Katie

and did indeed request the trade? Is that Katie saying partially I made a mistake, And I answered the question for myself is obviously I'm not gonna ask Kevin that, or why would I ask Kevin that? But I answered it for myself and I said, possibly yes, possibly no. But regardless if it's yes or no, why does it matter? Like if Kevin Durant says, I actually don't want to be here any more. I want to go to somewhere else, why does it matter? Why does that make you weak?

Why does that make you Why does that make him? You know, it means he's running from something. I don't understand that. And the reason I don't understand it is because players are in control of their situation. Players are in control of their destiny. And so why is it that it's just not that's the next step in his career?

Because again I always go back to if if a guy leaves Google, or or or if someone leaves Google to go to Apple after three or four years, and then they leave Apple after two years to go to Tesla and then they leave Tesla after four years to go to Docum sign. No one's going to say that person ran, if that person did this, or that person that Everyone's going to say that person did what was best for their career and best for their livelihoods. But

us as athletes, it's never viewed that way. And it's baffling to me that it's never viewed that way because our lifespanning with this career is actually ways shorter then someone that's working at Google or working at Apple, or anyone else in the world for that matter that's not an athlete for the most part, Why can't you do everything you can to get it right, even if that means making a wrong move, And continuing on, why is it that athletes are viewed that way? It's baffling to me.

It really baffles me that we've put ourselves in a position we have become the absolute best at what we do, which is, if you're an NBA you are at the absolute top of the of the of the food chain when it comes to basketball. And if you are the absolute best, like someone at Apple would be, like someone at Google would be, why is it such a bad thing that we control our destiny. But you worked that hard to be as good as you can be to have that power. That's baffling to me, and I'm still

trying to figure it out and out. So I saw the narratives and I saw all these things, and I'm like, but why is that? And I personally think I personally think it goes back to some things that I've said in the past and how people view athletes, how people can't accept people can't accept the fact that athletes are

now businessmen and no longer just playing basketball. And at some point people have to realize and be able to accept the fact that athletes are businessman and we make business moves and business decisions because you are operating a business. I am operating Draymond Green, Inc. Or whatever you want to call it. So why if Draymond Green makes a move a business move? Is it not? View that's just that. Let's talk about the move that's made. Is it Is that a good move for business or is it not?

But to start calling somebody weak and they run from challenges, and that's baffling to me because that man has worked hisn't entire life to be in that position. To where he controls where he goes next. And by the way, everyone in the NBA can't control where they go next. So to beat in that position, to have the opportunity to control what you do next, that's the American dream.

That is the American dream. Yet athletes, Kevin Durant in particular, in this situation, it's killed for it and it makes no sense to me. And what it shows me it's those that do that. They still have not adjusted to the fact that athletes are businessmen and at some point or businesswomen. And at some point you gotta be able to make that adjustment because if not, you're gonna keep throwing these terrible narratives out there and missing the big picture,

which is very simple. We're not just playing the game of basketball no more. This is big business. You see all these contract extensions. Narkola Joker Yoki two hundred and seventy million dollars in five years for five years. Guess what the next one Hill probably signed for four hundred fifty million dollars. That's big business. That's the show, peanuts. It's the largest contract in NBA history. You gotta make right business moves when you when you're making that type

of money people. I realized that Devin Booker two hundred four million dollars extension, Carl Anthony Towns two hundred four million dollars extension, John Moran hundred ninety three million, possibly to thirty one, Zion Williamson the same thing, Brad Bill two hundred and thirty. I think of thirty four million dollars or somewhere in that ball are like, that's big business. Darius Garland hundred could be to thirty one, Zach Levine

two thirty million dollars. You gotta make good decisions when you're talking this type of money. And so the fact that guys are have put themselves in positions to to be the driver of the bus, as everybody say, you gotta drive that bus when you're talking these contracts too, not just how someone wants to see you on the court. This is the NBA is no longer flying commercial and making sixty grand a year. I got me five years

to seventy. Let me do the math. Fifty would be to fifty h that's fifty four million dollars a year. You know how many people in the world make fifty four million dollars a year? And yet people still can't wrap their head around the fact that athletes are businessmen, and that's why they drive these terrible ass narratives. Somebody's weak because they're making a business decision because they're controlling their future as opposed to simply getting to understand it.

But at some point they'll get it, maybe when it's maybe it's gonna happen once you see more and more guys and and team ownership, more and more guys and and team ownership and other sports, not just basketball. Maybe they'll get it then. But until then, I guess we gotta keep listening to these narratives. But how how it guys weak and he just did doing this and he's

doing that. But my hope for all athletes in this position is that you can see past the narrative and that you can understand that you how important it is for you to make the right decision for your business. It's very, very important, way more important than just basketball. This is a business, and make sure you operate in

that way because if not, you get left behind. And so big shouts out to all of those guys, and it's not just those guys, those were huge ones, but big shots out to all of those guys for getting their contracts. Um. This this, this is what it's all about. Um, you do this. You put your bodies through all of this, you put your mental to all of this, you put your emotions through all of this. Ultimately to feed your family, to change the family history, to change what the family

looks like, and for generations generational wealth being built. So big shots out to all of those guys, and congratulations, UM Draymond Green's extension date is August three, so looking forward to that date as well. Um could possibly be a good day. We shall see. Let's talk about some of these trades. I thought the one that really really really shocked the world was the Rudy Gobert to Minnesota for Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bomero, Walker Kessler, and

Jared Vanderbilt. Okay, cool, but here's where the trade gets spicy. For four four first round picks and I think one or two pick swaps. For those of you that don't know what a pick swap is. That means Minnesota traded their picks to Utah. If if a scenario happens where Minnesota's pick is worse than Utah's pick, you talking then swap that pick with Minnesota to take the higher pick.

So trade swaps are actually very, very very valuable. And I think that's what really tilted this trade is the draft capital that Utah received that four first round picks. That is absolutely insane. Now, what does this trade say to me? And I know Karl Anthony Towns just signed a two hundred four million dollar extension, but what this trade says to me is Minnesota believes that they have

a superstar and Anthony Edwards. If you think about the NBA, what championships used to be was having a great guard and a great big And it says to me that they believe in Anthony Edwards to carry the torch. Not that Carl Anthony Towns is not important to what they do, because he is important to what they do, or else he wouldn't have got two four million dollars. And you know, you could say, oh, well they gave him that because they don't want to. You know, they want to hold

the value called Anthony Towns is an important asset. And if we have Called Anthony Towns locked up for five years and they want to trade him, you can get a lot of value for that. You can think about it from that standpoint, or you can think about it from the standpoint of Carl Anthony Towns is an incredible shooter, shoots from three so he can stretch the floor. You can think Minnesota is thinking ahead and they're trying to get back big because they may think the league is

switching back to two bigs. But the reason it says to me that they want to build around Anthony Edwards, it's because you go out and you get and you trade all of that a way that means where and when now mode, we're not planning for the future. And the reason it says Anthony Edwards to me, it's because Cat's been there and like now you're making these moves like they weren't trading the number one pick when Anthony

when when they just had the number one pick. They weren't trading picks before any time before that or really after. But they're and win now more because I think Minnesota thinks that they have a superstar in Anthony Edwards, and by the way, I believe they do. And so you pair him with Rudy Gobert, you pair him, you know, you pair Rudy Gobert with him called Anthony Towns, Diagelo Russell. You're saying I can win right now. Now, here's an

interesting Here's here's an interesting thing for me. Also on why I think they went out and got Rudy Gobert. Yes, D'Angelo Russell, who's an incredible player, who's my dog. I had the opportunity to play with him. As you know, D'Angelo Russell was essentially benched during the playoffs for defense. And so you cover some of that up now with the rim protection for by Rudy Gobert, and and and you allow de' angelo to be great at what D'Angelo

is great at, which is on the offensive end. Now, yes, you still have to compete on the defensive end, of course you do, but you now have someone there that can erase mistakes. You can erase you know, if you think about like let me let me take you back for a second. If you can think about the if you can think about that Memphis Minnesota series, John dominated at the rim, dominated at the rim. They struggled to rebound the basketball. So when you think about those things,

Jaren Jackson dominated in that series. So when you think about that, they're saying, okay, we're gonna go get Rudy Gobert, and there's our fix to cover up those things to where those things that they think cost them a playoff series. And so I thought that was a very interesting move, Um four Minnesota. Now the downsides of that move you have four hundred and fifty million dollars wrapped up in the center position. And you can say, all right, Carl

Anthony Towns is moving to the four. But I still can't view Carl Anthony Towns as a four because four as our six two in the NBA these days, Like I mean, I'm a center in the NBA these days. And so you have four hundred fifty million dollars wrapped up into the center position. If there is a downside, maybe it's that, you know, it's your depth, you know, so how how do you continue to acquire and and have debt? Now, one way of doing that is to

build your young guys. I think they're respecting McDaniels to take another step forward, which I expect he'll take another step forward as well every signatory and prince, and so I think depth is where that can hurt. And having four hundred and fifty million dollars into the center position. But like I said, I think they also could see, like, you know what, we're not going to win going small. Let's go big and and and give that a try.

And like I said, most importantly, what that shows me is they are building around Anthony Edwards, who's a young star to make it. And the thing that I love about Anthony Edwards is he got the game. He talked, he walked, he got the personality, he got he got what it takes to be one of those guys. And and in Minnesota see that they're going all in on that,

And I think it's a beautiful thing. Now, if you're at Man, you gotta be in that gym this summer because essentially what that's saying is we think we have a star, which means you need to be an All Star next year. You need to continue to grow. And I saw, you know, earlier this year when aunt Man said, like, I don't know why I wasn't an All Star. Now's your chance because they're going all in. You win games, you produce at the level that we all know he's

going to produce that, and there's your bid. And so that was a very interesting move. Um, we'll see how it works out. I'm definitely interested in and playing against those guys. I think, you know, for us UM and our skill set, I think we have some things that we can try to take advantage of against them. But in saying that, I think this move says a lot about where Minnesota is and I'm not sure we've ever

seen Minnesota go all in like this. So it's a very interesting thing and it's one to keep your eyes out for. Another trade that caught my eye in a major way, and rightfully so. Well, it's one of Jackson's Boston Celtics, And the reason that trade caught my eye, it's because they brought back Malcolm Brogden, who's a very very very good player who's been fifty before in this league. UM. Who It's a point guard, shoot the ball, great size,

good defensively. The reason that trade catches my eyes is because I think it adds to something that that Boston was missing, which is number one in their depth UM. Number two is versatility and and options at the point guard position. UM. I don't think they had many options at the point guard position, and this past playoff run that your Warriors just one, and I think that gives him that. Now, let's look up, look at what they

gave up. They gave up Daniel Tys, who probably played all of Timmins in the NBA Finals, Aaron nee Smith who played probably all of ten minutes in garbage time in the NBA Finals, and first round pick top twelve protected, which you have to assume it's gonna be pick nine thirty to thirty. If the Boston Celtics have the year that most people will expect them to have, the year that they should have coming off in NBA Finals, run

that pick is into the first round. And so I thought that was an incredible move by the Boston Celtics. Gotta give him a lot of credit um to go out and find a guy like Malcolm Brogden. And see, the thing is, you go out and you get a guy like that from a team that's not really trying to contend um right at this moment, and and that's where you can swoop in and get a guy for not very much, because sometimes teams would love to get off that salary. I think Malcolm Bradier is probably making

close to twenty million dollars a year. So if you can get off that salary, get a first round pick back, even if it is thirty because you know, the reality is the Indian the patients were probably be in the lottery again next year. So now that gives you two first round picks, and it helps them build the way that they're probably going to try to build with a young Tyrese Halliburden, you can continue to build through the

dry he's still on the rookie deal. And so I thought that was a very interesting and very good move by the Boston Celtics. I can't say that I loved it, being there's a possibility that we may meet them in the finals again next year, but as an NBA fan, I think that was an absolutely incredible move by Boston. I think that's one that lets you know, hey, we're we're not satisfied with losing in the NBA finals, nor do you expect that the Boston Celtics, an organization with

seventeen championships, would be. They're showing you right away we're trying to get better, we're improving, and we're trying to get back there. So take my hat off to them for that move. I thought that was a great move and probably top three best moves over the course of the last week or so, and arguably, depending on what happens,

could be the best trade. Um you know, if Boston going to win the championship, you look back at this summer and you're like, wow, that was the trade of the summer, unless, of course, Kevin Durant does get traded, which there's no guarantee that a guy with four years on his contract will get traded even if they requested. So we'll have to see how that plays out. But right now, as it stands, that could be the trade of the summer. We shall see. And other news, your

go to state Warriors made some moves. Number one, I want to say congratulations to Gary Payton, the second g P two. Well deserved man at twenty nine years old, a guy who has continued to grind and grinding ground. I was looking at GPS Wikipedia a few days ago and just like looking at the teams that he's been on, like the G League, you know, going through the G League and never quit and to be rewarded with three year,

twenty eight million dollar deal. Extremely happy for him, not happy to see him go, but always happy to see guys get their money. It's like I said, that's what this is about. Obviously, it's about winning. It's about being great, but ultimately this is our job and this is how you feed your family. And so to see g P get what he's due, I thought that was absolutely amazing. I'm happy for GP. Congratchamp, my brother. Good luck to g P. Otto Porter has headed to Toronto on a

two year deal. I'm not sure how much autose deal was worth. I never came across. I was looking at all over the internet and I just kept seeing two year deal, two year deal. But I thought that was huge for Auto. I'm very happy for Auto. Congratulations champ um. Otto's wife has been reported. I wouldn't say this if it had not been reported, but his wife, being from Toronto, had an opportunity to to be in her hometown. I

think that's amazing. Um for Otto to come to the Warriors and re establish his career the way he did this year help us win the championship. We would definitely miss him, his shooting, his length, um, his competitive nature that he brought to us all year. But get your money. So I love congrats my brother, looking forward to Auto continue to do great things. Uh. My brother Juan Toscano Anderson headed to the Los Angeles Lakers UM I think

that is an incredible move by him. I think that's an incredible move by his agent and Harris why um number one. As I think the Lakers need those types of guys, one type of guys who would get in and get it out the mud, do all the dirty work. I think that's big for them from that standpoint. On the flip side, one, as a Mexican American, as we all know, there is a huge Mexican population in Los Angeles, So how can he then capitalize on on on that front?

You know, UM one has done plenty things in Mexico to help the community. How he can he continue to bridge that gap UM with with the Mexican fan base, UM in the Mexican community in Los Angeles. Again, we're talking business. This is business. This is not just a basketball game. You look at it from a business standpoint, and I think that's a great business move by one. On top of most importantly being an absolutely incredible basketball move. You had an opportunity to play with three Hall of

Famers and Lebron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. UM. Anytime you have Lebron James on your team, you are a threat to compete for a championship and one can help that, and so I think that was absolutely incredible. Shout out to one my brother, good luck Champ on your journey. As you know, we tapped in for life my brother Damian Lee to the Phoenix Suns. I think that is a very good move for Damian Lee as well. UM. That is a very structured, uh structured team that money runs.

De Leo fit right into that. He'll understand, he knows the game. He's been in this environment with us for four or five years, and so I think he'll do well with that. Um. I think that would be really good for him. And then obviously you still have the opportunity to compete for a championship as well. Congratulations with my brother d Lee has been an incredible four years man. Much love Champ, go get it done, brother. Another loss that was huge for us was losing Belly uh Nemanya

bi Elia. He has headed back to Finnibachi in Turkey and I'm a little hurt by this one. Uh got really had an opportunity to create a really good relationship with Belly and quite frankly, one that will last further than him playing basketball and myself playing basketball. But I think for Belly this was more of a family move, um than necessarily a business move. You know, Belly has um two young children, and to to be closer to

his family obviously. You know, for those of you that don't know, Belly is from Serbia and so to be closer to his family, it sucks for us. It definitely sucks for us because I thought his versatility and what he brought to the floor for us, another playmaker on the courting, and obviously the way he stretches the floor. Um, I thought that was really good for us. And to lose him, I think that that was stung a little bit. Nonetheless,

extremely happy for him. He's back closer to his family, which I understand how important that is having a family in my own. I wish Belly well brought there. We love you man, good luck and Finnerbachi, and I hope to catch one of them games. I definitely want to get over there and catch euro League games, so hopefully I can't. Good luck brought day now for those Warriors

that are staying, for those warriors that are incoming. Shout out to my brother Convne Loony on a three year twenty five and a half million dollar deal, third year team option with three million dollars guaranteed. I thought that was an absolutely amazing deal for Loon. I'm extremely happy for Loom. As I've told you you all before, the most professional guy I've ever played with from day one, like not like he grew into this, like he got into the league and figured it out. I can't recall

a day he's ever been late. I can't call it, recall it day he's ever complained. I can't recall a day he didn't do more than anyone ever asked him

to do. And you know, for a guy who comes into the NBA and have two hip injuries right away and to to essentially derail your career before it even started at nineteen years old, you gotta think about what does that does due to a kid and mentally at nineteen years old, And then you go back to me telling you the most professional guy that I've ever played with. It makes sense because the reality is most people, most

people would crash in that in that moment. You know, you go through to two hip surgeries beginning of your career. Kavan Lunei was a thirtye pick. So when you think about the NBA. It's like you get these lottery picks, and these teams really want to see those guys be successful. Why Because for the GM, If I drive a guy with a lottery pick and he goes on to be successful, that's my guy, like I drafted him. Teams take pride in that for a guy who's a thirty pick. If

it works, great, If it doesn't, so be it. So to go through two hip surgeries, miss plenty of time, come back from that and become who Cavan Luoni has become in an NBA absolutely amazing And like I said, not many guys, if any, could do that, and it's a testament to Cavan and his hard work and to see him rewarded for his hard work, it's absolutely amazing.

I'm happy for Loon, but also to see him back on our team and understanding and knowing what he brings to this team, allowing us to play the type of defense we play um which was extremely vitaling and to us winning the championship. I mean we saw the games Loon had. Everybody saw it, and so you're always happy to see the good guys get rewarded, and for Loon, I think that was huge. Happy for keep going brother,

as you know we're gonna needed uh. Warriors Artist also signed Dante de Vincenzo to a two year, nine and a half million dollar deal, which I thought was a great pickup. Uh, Steph and I definitely put the four core press on Dante and and and an understanding how important UM that edition is. You know, with losing GP, you add another wing who can defend. UH. Dante can shoot the ball. I think he's going to get more open shots with us then he's ever gotten, UM and

that will be absolutely incredible. I think he would have an opportunity to show his athletic ability. I think this would be really good for Dante, and I think this would be really good for the Warriors. Something absolutely happy about that signing. And then also a guy who knows how to play winning basketball. He comes from the Milwaukee Bucks organization. Obviously he just was recently in SAT but

spend years in Milwaukee. Uh, He's he is a champion and so UM very happy with that sign and I thought that was an incredible move for us, and I think he will help us out tremendously. And that is pretty much the moves that were made that really caught my attention, UM, and that I think really moves the needle for teams. And so we'll see um as we know, free agency is kind of at a hawk UM as this Kyrie and Kevin Durant situation plays out, So we'll

see what happens from here. And also shout out to Javelle McGee, who's a former teammate of mind champion UH three year, twenty million dollar deal with the Dallas Mavericks that definitely helped swings the pendulum as you can see the last five six years. Any team that's trying to win on Gravel McGee on their roster, I think that is a huge addition for them. Um. And because Avail McGee is still probably I think, in my opinion, the

best lop three in the NBA. And you got someone that can pass the ball like Luca Lucas now putting that pressure on the rim with a lob threat like Jabelle McGee, absolutely amazing moves. So that was a move I loved as well. That's all I got for you on free agency. But before we get out of here, Michael Rubin throws the absolute best party I've ever been to.

Fourth of July in the Hamptons Michael Rubens party. I don't think there's any other place for me to be any Fourth of July moving forward, Um, between my best friend Danny's house there and Michael Rubin's party, absolutely amazing. I mean, where can you go? And now here's where we were told Miguel would perform, Oozy would perform, and

Baby and Little Baby will perform. That turned into Drake performing, Dirk performing, twenty one, Savage performing, Meek Mill performing, and I'm pretty certain there's a few others that I miss. It Absolutely incredible. Um, everybody who's anybody was there, jay Z was there, Beyonce, I mean, how do you get all of those people that he had in that room in the room? The party was amazing. It didn't end so well for me at the end of the night, but I had a good time. Hope everyone enjoyed their

fourth Until next time. As a rap from the Draymond Green Show, Guess will will be returning soon, so look out for that. But until next time, I'll talk to you all next week from Summer League. Peace Ligative, Private Ligative, Private,