Draymond Green is back in midseason form, not just with his defense, but with his mouth. During the Golden State Warriors’ preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, Green found himself once again in the middle of an on-court confrontation, this time with second-year forward Dalton Knecht.
The exchange took place in the third quarter while Lakers big man Deandre Ayton was at the free-throw line. Cameras caught Green visibly talking to Knecht, who appeared to have said something to the four-time NBA champion first. Green didn’t hesitate to fire back.
“Don’t talk shit to me, you got traded and got traded back.”
Draymond Green to Dalton Knecht đź’€
“Don’t talk shit to me, you got traded and got traded back”
(h/t @MrBuckBuckNBA)pic.twitter.com/U6alw5XilZ
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) October 13, 2025
It was a brutal and accurate jab. Last season, Knecht was included in a trade package that would have sent him to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams. However, when Williams failed his physical, the trade was rescinded, forcing Knecht to return to Los Angeles. It was an awkward situation, one that hung over his head throughout the second half of the year.
Green, known for his ruthless trash talk and zero-filter approach, clearly didn’t care about any backstory. His comment immediately went viral, with fans split between laughter and sympathy for Knecht. Some saw it as vintage Draymond, sharp, unfiltered, and savage, while others felt it crossed a line, especially during what was supposed to be a lighthearted preseason game.
Knecht, to his credit, didn’t let the moment rattle him. He went on to score 16 points on 4-for-9 shooting, including 2-for-5 from three, and hit a smooth jumper shortly after the verbal exchange. The Lakers went on to defeat the Warriors 126–116, with Austin Reaves leading the way with 21 points.
For Green, it was another day at the office. He finished with just two points, four assists, and two steals, but his impact, as always, was more psychological than statistical. The 34-year-old veteran has long been one of the league’s most notorious agitators, from mocking Paul Pierce’s retirement tour years ago to famously clashing with Rudy Gobert and Jordan Poole.
Sunday’s incident was just another reminder that Green’s intensity never wavers, preseason or not. His ability to get under opponents’ skin remains unmatched, and young players like Knecht are often the easiest targets.
Still, this moment might end up working in Knecht’s favor. The young Laker didn’t back down and continued playing confidently, showing maturity against one of the NBA’s most accomplished trash-talkers. For a player who’s spent much of the past year fighting to prove his worth after nearly being traded, standing tall against Draymond Green might be the kind of small victory that builds confidence heading into the season.
The Warriors and Lakers are set to meet again on opening night, and if this preseason encounter is any preview, there’s already bad blood brewing. Draymond Green might have gotten the last word this time, but Dalton Knecht showed he’s not backing down from anyone, not even one of the loudest voices in basketball.
