No matter what happens in this playoff run, the Los Angeles Lakers will be looking for ways to improve their roster this offseason. With several players off the books and a draft pick still in play, Rob Pelinka will have multiple avenues to make a deal that will tip the odds in L.A.’s favor.
If you ask Kendrick Perkins, the 17x champs should consider taking a look at Draymond Green to add alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The multiple-time All-Star is facing an uncertain future with the Warriors, and his relationship with James has been well-documented over the years.
“If I’m Draymond, I’m trying to get to LA and if I’m LA, I’m trying to get Draymond Green.”
“If I'm Draymond, I'm trying to get to LA and if I'm LA, I'm trying to get Draymond Green.”
– Kendrick Perkins
(Via ESPN) pic.twitter.com/UBuTHjvQco
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 18, 2023
The Lakers obviously aren’t in need of a drastic roster change, but Draymond is the kind of guy who could step in and deliver without stepping on anyone’s toes. In L.A., he could help strengthen the defense around Davis and give the Lakers another player to handle the ball that isn’t LeBron or Austin Reaves.
Of course, at 33 years old, Green’s best days are likely behind him now, but he showed in this postseason that he can still play at a high level. If available, expect the Lakers to think hard about making a move to bring him in… but it remains to be seen if the Warriors will let him walk.
Will Draymond Really Leave The Warriors?
The Warriors continue to maintain that they have no desire to depart with Draymond, but the Dubs might not have much of a choice. If they want to keep all of their guys together and properly paid, it may very well cost them more than they are willing to pay.
Even still, expect the Warriors to fight hard to keep the gang together.
“It’s incredible when you look at the amount of guys who’ve played for only one team. You can look around the NBA right now,” Green said. “There are five guys that’s been on a team for 11 years-plus. We have three of them [along with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson]. It’s a very rare thing. There’s 470, 480 players in the NBA? There are five guys that’s been with his team for 11 years plus. That’s amazing. So, you don’t just give that away.”
We all know that Dray would prefer to stay with the Warriors over going anywhere else, but the Lakers are not a bad option if things with his current team don’t pan out this July.
If you’re the Lakers, it’s a situation worth monitoring as the 2023 free agency period approaches.
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