Drayond Green was reportedly “very” seriously about signing the Memphis Grizzlies as a free agent in 2023. This is according to a story by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Tim Macmahon and Michael C. Wright.
Memphis was looking for a toxicter, an adult in the room after Ja Morant had been suspended for eight games because they were seen on social media with a firearm. Dillon Brooks had welcomed his welcome, but someone with toughness and would immediately need the respect of his teammates.
The Grizzlies offered Green more money than he finally signed again at the Warriors. At one point, Green also told Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Steve Kerr that he almost left a drawing and trade agreement.
Golden State Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy stepped on the record with a four -year range of $ 100 million and green again signed.
Memphis was all about signing Derrick Rose and Marcus Smart, who are not in the team.
Green would have been nice, but there is more
After Green was off the table and Rose was taken over with Smart, the Grizzlies were not completely ready on their intended plans.
According to the report, Memphis still knew that it needed a capable winger and both Mikal Bridges and Dorian Finney-Smith followed through the trade of the Brooklyn Nets.
Bridges now plays for the New York Knicks and Finney-Smith for the Los Angeles Lakers.
These are two crazy sliding doors moments to consider. Firstly, the combination of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Green and Years Jackson Jr. Together (while he also removed Green from the Warriors).
Injuries meant that we did not see the real Grizzlies in 2023-24, but this could have been the season for the Grizzlies if Green was in the mix.
What happens to the Warriors when Green has disappeared next to Thompson? Would Curry still be in Golden State? Where would Jimmy Butler be? So many questions.
Then there are the Mikal Bridges part of this. He too would have been a great addition. Would he fit better? The Grizzlies have a shortage of three -point shooting and bridges would certainly have delivered more of it than green.
Over the years, availability has also been a problem for the Grizzlies with a load of load injuries and bridges is the Iron Man of the League.
Green’s previous history with Grizzlies worth remembering
Green has history with the Grizzlies, that’s for sure.
In 2022, Green could not prevent himself from involving a word war in a very young Grizzlies team in an intense six-game Playoff series.
Lessons were learned for Memphis, but also desirable. It seems that respect went as far as Green was ready to join them.
Adding to the dynamics of Green that may replace Brooks in 2023 is the feud they had two.
After Brooks had made a remark that he did not like Green or the Warriors at all, Green Groen on his podcast.
“If you have ever wondered why the Memphis Grizzlies is not ready to compete for a championship, look no further than this idiot here,” said Green. “They are actually dependent on this guy to help them win a championship, and he says:” His game is cool. “To be honest, that just shows how little you know about basketball.
“Your level of understanding of the basketball game is at fan level. And you run around talking about a dynasty? The dynasty starts after you, not with you. That is just a fact. I know dynasty players. They are not clowns. That does not work when building a dynasty … I don’t really know!”
The idea that Green Memphis could have helped to become a championship team after those comments is a wild scenario to consider.
