One of the many high-profile NBA free agents set to hit the market this week is longtime Warriors star Draymond Green, and NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins highlighted three teams he believes Green would make title favorites.
On Monday’s First Take, Perkins dished on what makes Green the perfect addition to a team on the fringes of title contention, saying Green’s impact on the game defensively is “invaluable.”
“Draymond Green is the only player in the league that can elevate a team without scoring 20 points per game and make them a title contender,” Perkins said.
He then pointed out three teams he believes would become instant championship favorites by adding Green to the mix: the Grizzlies, Heat and Lakers.
.@ColemanESPN and @KendrickPerkins have different opinions on Draymond's basketball worth 👀 pic.twitter.com/q9fQGx8mg9
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 26, 2023
Each destination would create a major shakeup in the league’s balance of power. Adding Green in Memphis, which already improved its defense with the acquisition of Marcus Smart this offseason, to a group that also features Jaren Jackson Jr.’s rim protection would form perhaps the league’s best defense. Meanwhile, Miami and Los Angeles each could use Green’s defensive skills and playoff experience as the teams hunt the defending champion Nuggets.
“Draymond Green could go to any one of those teams and instantly make them a title favorite just by his impact on the floor and what he brings,” Perkins said. “That is crazy, but he is worth every single dollar of $100 million.”
The coming days will determine whether we see Green in a different uniform for the first time in his career. His moving on would certainly send shockwaves around the league.
