Draymond Green has been extremely vocal during his own free agency about LeBron James’ decision on which team he joins next. From his pitch for James to join the Warriors to potentially considering joining the Cavaliers, Green and James’ free agency have been inextricably linked so far.
Hence, the four-time NBA champion Green spoke out once again after the NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, pushed LeBron James to make his free agency decision quickly.
“Adam Silver said, ‘Next season NBA schedule is on hold until LeBron makes a decision.’ He said, ‘We have to finish up the schedule. Where LeBron plays affects the schedule. Opening week, Christmas, so I need him to make a decision.”
“Well, here’s what I will say. Adam saying that is not going to speed up LeBron’s decision at all. Uh, if I know LeBron well, if anything, it may slow his decision down a little more because that’s just how Bron is,” said Green on the latest episode of his own podcast.
“I do think his decision will come sooner rather than later. Uh, but make no mistake about it. I love Adam, but Adam saying that definitely did not help speed up the decision. That I can assure you.”
“But it [LeBron’s decision] definitely affects it [the NBA’s schedule]. You know, Bron’s played on what, 23 straight Christmas days. That his team has been slotted to play. It will be 24 or… whatever the numbers are. It will tick up next year.”
“You’re going to have LeBron James in a marquee game on Christmas Day. But yeah, I understand, you know, if, depending on what team LeBron goes to, that team is going to have more national TV games. That’s just the nature of what comes with LeBron and what he brings.”
“But what I will say about this is: for young players to hear Adam Silver say, ‘Yo, we need him to finish. We need to make the schedule.’ If I’m young guys, the first thing I think of is, ‘man, the leverage that we have as athletes, and can we continue to grow and capitalize on that leverage as we move forward?’
“That’s what I’d be thinking if I was a young guy, like, oh, you’ve never heard a commissioner make a statement like that. Which is one of the reasons I love Adam. He’s very straight up, straightforward, and honest. But you’ve never really heard commissioners say things like that.”
“And as I said, if I’m a young guy, the first thing that I’m thinking is, man, we have leverage. What can we do with that leverage?”
“Hey, NBA Players Association, there’s leverage. What can you do with the leverage? That statement to me says far more than, ‘Hey, LeBron, make your decision.’ That statement to me is deep.”
“And can ultimately those that need to understand that statement and what it means and what it brings, can they ultimately figure out, hey, it’s right there in front of you, and how you can use leverage? I don’t know. Um, we’ll see.
“But that’s a very strong statement. And as I said, that statement is much bigger than, hey, LeBron, make a decision. So, I’ll leave that there. But I am expecting a decision sooner rather than later, but trust me, that definitely didn’t speed it up.”
In essence, Green is implying that if anything, Bron might also perceive this as more leverage for him and consequently slow down the decision even further instead of speeding it up.
Although the perception of how younger players see the greatest player in the league receiving special treatment is definitely a noteworthy take from Green.
LeBron James, from his very first experience in free agency, has done a lot for player empowerment in the league. But is his delay in any way reflective of how players should use their leverage?
I certainly don’t think so. Not everyone can play at that level and do enough in their career to deserve that treatment as LeBron James does. Let us know what you think in the comments section.
