Draymond Green has been around the Bay for 10 seasons. Green has been the offensive manager, running plays, setting screens, and understanding his teammate’s abilities. Draymond also won the Defensive Player of the year award in 2017. He is not only one of the smartest players in the league, but is also a smart defender. As such, he was chosen for the All-Defensive team 6 times.
Green was drafted in 2012 by the Golden State Warriors at 22. During a draft, players hear a lot of rumors about their future team. For Draymond, it was no different, as the Miami Heat could’ve gone for Green in the 2012 Draft.
Draymond Green might’ve teamed up with LeBron James
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In a recent episode of The Draymond Green Show, Green reveals the teams that promised him a spot. Green talks about the Heat, who promised Dray a spot alongside LeBron and Dwyane Wade.
“I haven’t told this story before. I had a promise from Indiana, I had a promise, like if I was still there, Memphis would take me. Miami would take me. All these teams that told me, if I was still there, they would take me. None of em’ did.”
The fact that Draymond has never told this story makes it even more interesting. The Heat, in the 2012-13 season, won their 3rd championship. Had the Heat drafted Green, he would’ve won a ring in his rookie season itself. Whereas for Indiana, a duo of Draymond and Paul George would’ve been a one to watch.
The Grizzlies were still trying to get their pieces together at the time, though a smart player like Green would have helped the veterans like Randolph and Tony Allen. Though Green wasn’t picked by any of the three, he did not expect any team from the state of California to pick him, either.
Green went on to play the Finals against LeBron James
Draymond said that “But… I’m driving and I’m thinking to myself, like where am I gonna end up. And, I kid you not, I thought to myself one day like… I don’t know where I’m gonna end up, but I do know, and I literally had this thought. But I do know, I just won’t end up in the state of California.”
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Well, the Warriors did go on to draft him in the second round. Green did not have any hate or preference for his thoughts. He just presumed he was not going to California.
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“It wasn’t the pick number, it wasn’t the Lakers, there’s Kings, the Warriors, the Clip… it wasn’t… it was just, I don’t think I’m going to end up in the state of California…”, said Green.
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But his thoughts didn’t become the reality. Green went on to play his first NBA Finals in his third season. Not only that, he went up against LeBron four times in the Finals, winning 3 of them alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
What do you think would’ve happened if the Heat had drafted Draymond? Do let us know in the comments.