Fansided

3 teams who should start recruiting Draymond Green when the Warriors lose

By Ian Levy

Mar 5, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) talk during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) talk during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 23: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on February 23, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 23: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on February 23, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

1. Los Angeles Lakers

This is the outcome we’ve heard whispers about since early in the season and seems like the most likely option if Draymond does leave Golden State. The math has gotten slightly more complicated with the Lakers trading Russell Westbrook — instead of his expiring contract opening a huge amount of cap space they now have to navigate a series of decisions around Malik Beasley’s club option, Mo Bamba’s partially guaranteed contract, the restricted free agencies of Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura and the unrestricted free agency of D’Angelo Russell.

But the Lakers have enough flexibility there to give Draymond something like the kind of contract he’s looking for and still retain at least some of the pieces who have helped power their second-half surge this season. While the offensive fit with Green is not nearly as clean as some other options he could make the Lakers one of the best defensive teams in the league and LeBron would surely love his competitiveness, experience and intensity.

He already has a friendship with LeBron and moving to a storied franchise like the Lakers allows him to protect his ego and legacy as he tries to anchor another championship team. If it’s not a return to the Warriors, the smart money is on Green joining the Lakers next season.

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