Draymond Green pays LeBron James the ultimate compliment

Draymond Green and LeBron James have been rivals on the biggest stage. But there’s plenty of shared respect between them as well.

LeBron James and Draymond Green have played against each other 39 times, 21 in the NBA Finals. They have defended each other, fouled each other, scored over each other and beaten each other with championships on the line.

But among all that competition plenty of respect has developed. In an interview with Jeff Zillgit of USA Today Sports, Draymond talked about LeBron and paid him some pretty high praise.

"“When you look at those three things, it’s a testament to how he lives his life,” Warriors star Draymond Green told USA TODAY Sports. “I recently said he’s the greatest face the NBA has ever had. Think about the day and age we live in – cameras, social media – he’s never had a scandal. Never been arrested. Never photo’d drunk. Those things go hand in hand with durability, longevity, consistency."

Is Draymond Green going to join LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers?

You can read this as simply one NBA great recognizing the incredible accomplishments of a long-time opponent. But you can also read it as admiration that could actually change things.

Green has a player option for next season and, after not coming to agreement with the Warriors on an extension last summer, is expected to opt out and at least test the waters of free agency. The Warriors are the only team he’s ever played for but there have been rumblings that he may be alienated enough by the failed negotiations with the Warriors to leave for the rival Lakers.

If the Lakers don’t trade Russell Westbrook, his salary will be coming off the books, leaving plenty of room to sign Draymond to a multi-year extension. Putting him with Anthony Davis, LeBron and some minor upgrades around the roster could put the Lakers back into contention.

Maybe he’s just saying nice things about an opponent. But maybe he’s praising a future teammate.

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