Draymond Green was reportedly “very” close to leaving the Golden State Warriors a few seasons ago.
On Tuesday, a report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Tim MacMahon, and Michael C. Wright shed light on what led to the recent firing of Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins. The report also shared how close Green was to signing with the Grizzlies back in the summer of 2023.
The Warriors were at a crossroads that offseason following a Western Conference semifinal exit against the Los Angeles Lakers. Green was said to be “very” serious about a rumored sign-and-trade to the Grizzlies that summer. He even reportedly informed teammates Steph Curry and Klay Thompson as well as head coach Steve Kerr that the move was looming.
The Grizzlies wanted Green to replace polarizing swingman Dillon Brooks, who eventually signed with the Houston Rockets. The Warriors and Grizzlies had a contentious playoff series of their own during Golden State’s 2022 title run. The two teams had a tension-filled West semis series, which the Warriors won 4-2.
Despite the animosity between the two sides, Memphis believed that Green had the “basketball intelligence and toughness” to help the team get over the proverbial hump, per the report.
The Warriors eventually paid Green to the tune of $100 million over four years, potentially keeping him in Golden State until the end of his career.
