Draymond Green’s trash talk game is already in mid-season form.
The Golden State Warriors star had some choice words for a Los Angeles Lakers player during their second preseason matchup Sunday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif. Lakers center Deandre Ayton was at the line when Green was heard talking smack to Ayton’s teammate Dalton Knecht.
Knecht had apparently started talking trash to Green, which drew a prompt response from the former Defensive Player of the Year.
“You better talk to somebody else. Don’t talk to me,” Draymond told Knecht. “You talking s–t right here? You got traded and sent back.”
Draymond Green to Dalton Knecht:
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 13, 2025
"Don’t talk sh*t to me, you got traded and got traded back” 😳
(h/t @MrBuckBuckNBA )
pic.twitter.com/hOoktLil5g
Whatever Knecht said was not caught by the Spectrum SportsNet broadcast. Green’s message was just loud enough for most lower-bowl fans to hear.
Green was referencing the Lakers’ voided trade last season, which initially sent Knecht to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Mark Williams. The Lakers later flagged “multiple issues” in Williams’ medical exam, which pushed them to rescind the deal. Jokes went flying about how awkward the situation was for Knecht as he returned to a Lakers team that had sent him packing.
The good news for the Tennessee alum is that the Lakers reportedly plan to hold onto Knecht for the time being. But that won’t spare him from any trash talk about the ordeal, especially from Draymond.
Knecht tallied 16 points on 4/9 shooting in the Lakers’ 126-116 preseason win Sunday over the Warriors. Green finished with just two points and four turnovers across 22 minutes.
