Draymond Green is the ideal veteran for any player in the NBA to want. He is a tireless motivator and is beloved by his teammates. After Green was the nucleus of the Warriors 2022 Championship squad, it was only right for him to personally thank every player that was on the squad this year and won’t be next year.
On the latest episode of the Draymond Green Show, the Warriors forward thanked the players that are leaving the team, like Juan Toscano-Anderson, Nemanja Bjelica, Otto Porter, and Gary Payton II. GPII signed the most lucrative contract out of the bunch, signing with Portland for 3 years, $28 million.
Green started out his thank you’s by discussing GPII and the tough road he has had to be in the position to finally sign a multi-year guaranteed contract in the league.
“Number one, I want to say congratulations to Gary Payton II — GP2. Well deserved, man. At 29 years old, a guy that has continued to grind and grind and grind. I was looking at GP’s Wikipedia a few days ago and just looking at the teams he’s been on … and never quit.
“Extremely happy for him. Not happy to see him go, but always happy to see guys get their money … so to see GP get what he’s due, I thought that was absolutely amazing, I’m happy for GP. Congrats. CHAMP.” (h/t NBC Sports)
GPII had considerable interest from other teams this offseason. H was widely rumored to be in talks with the Dallas Mavericks, but they ended up signing JaVale McGee to a similar contract to shore up their big-man depth.
The Warriors will miss the defensive ability that GPII brought, but Portland will be more than happy to have him back up Damian Lillard and be the stopper on the court whenever he is required to step up.
