It’s easy to see why the Detroit Pistons might be interested in the services of one Draymond Green. They’re a team without much talent and, with Greg Monroe likely to bolt via free agency, a massive hole at power forward looming. They also have a bunch of cap room and a coach/GM in Stan Van Gundy who surely appreciates Green’s gifts (his brother sure does).
After Adrian Wojnarowski’s report that Green has “significant interest with pursuing an offer sheet with his hometown Detroit Pistons,” Warriors fans got nervous and Pistons fans found a rare glimmer of hope in this disaster of a season (case in point: Detroit lost to the Lakers last night).
Via MLive:
3. Saginaw’s finest
Draymond Green has gone from second-round draft pick in 2012 to one of the more coveted 2015 free agents as a valuable producer for the team with the NBA’s best record, the Golden State Warriors. The Pistons will see the Warriors on Wednesday in Oakland, and more than a few local fans would like to see it be the last time the teams play without Green in a Detroit uniform. The Warriors have the right to match any offer the Saginaw native receives in restricted free agency but salary-cap challenges may not allow for it.
But unless Green really, REALLY misses playing in his home state, there’s not much there for him in Detroit. Besides money, that is. Lots and lots of money, which the Warriors would probably do everything in their power to match.
The Pistons are bad to the point where they can’t compete in the Eastern Conference, and Monroe and Reggie Jackson are going to be free agents. That leaves Andre Drummond and a bunch of role players, so unless the Pistons struck gold in the draft and/or brought in an impact scorer in free agency, Green would be expected to maintain his defensive excellence while boosting his scoring by six-to-eight points per game (he’s currently at 11.6 ppg this year). He has boosted his scoring in each of the last two years, both per game and per 36 minutes, so it’s not inconceivable that he could become a primary offensive option. It’s unlikely, but Green’s marked improvement in his career and belief in himself are rare, even for an NBA player. None of that erases the fact that Green would go from a team that’ll win at least 60 games this season to one that’s 23-40 and sliding down the standings with a seven-game losing streak.
Money and Michigan, or wins and Warriors? He’s a restricted free agent, so he may not have a choice either way. But it’s difficult to imagine him wearing the same uniform of the team that comes to Oracle tonight anytime soon.
Doc, Draymond and the name game
Doc Rivers joked about Dahntay Jones’ fine for bumping Green on Sunday while Green was doing a postgame interview with ABC on the court, saying that maybe Jones bumped that “tough guy from Golden State” a little too hard. Rivers didn’t mention Green by name. On Tuesday during his weekly KNBR segment, Green went with a name other than Doc.
“Cool story, bro,” said Green, who used the same line the night before in response to a question about the Warriors compiling back-to-back 50-win seasons.
“Cool story, Glenn. Very cool story, Glenn. I’m done with that situation, man. You know? We crossed 50 wins last night. In 62 games, that’s a pretty incredible mark … I don’t have no reason to worry what Glenn has to say.”
Easy Pickings: Maybe the Warriors game will be a part of today’s Daily Bracket
If you join our BASG group in Daily Bracket, you’ll get a chance to pick five games tonight across different sports. No point spreads, just Tinder-style swiping left or right depending on who you think will win. It’s fun, it’s free, and we have weekly prizes ($50 for the top scorer) to give out throughout the month of March.
- Just Download Daily Bracket via the Apple App Store or Google Play for free.
- Go to the Groups tab–> click on “Join/Create a Group”–> And click on “Join” next to BASG.
- Pick the five games Daily Bracket gives us each night. (The process is very quick, unless you’re not good at making quick decisions and like to research before making your picks.)
Who knows, maybe the Warriors/Pistons game will be included. I think I know which team I’d pick (hint: the one Green plays for currently has a fairly decent shot of running their record at home to 28-2).
