The fingers of Draymond Green are currently being fitted for its fourth NBA ring.
Following a fairly smooth regular season, coupled with an arduous road to the Finals, Green played an enormous role in the Golden State Warriors knocking off the Boston Celtics.
As the final seconds ticked slowly off the clock in Game 6, an elated Green jumped into the arms of his teammates in celebration. Just a few days later, Green traded in his tears of joy for dozens of beers and cigars as their celebration continued.
Currently, with Green basking in Golden State’s championship glory, the multiple-time All-Star becomes stoic as he envisions how the 2022-23 NBA season will ultimately play out. Although Green has never seemed unnerved, a feeling of apprehension sweeps over him as the LA Clippers arrive at the forefront of his mind. While Green is confident that Golden State is still the team to beat and will eventually rise to the top of the NBA world, he openly acknowledges that the Clippers are quietly building something special.
“Ty Lue is arguably one of the best coaches in the NBA, arguably the best,” said Green during a recent discussion with JJ Reddick. “Someone can make that argument. And then they have great players, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George.”
Draymond Green notices every the Clippers ancillary pieces as well
During the 2021-22 NBA season, the rest of the league was given a reprieve of sorts, following perpetual injuries that were laced upon the Clippers roster. One season prior, Leonard was at the top of his game. The former two-time Defensive Player of the Year averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists during the regular season. Those numbers would only increase during their postseason run, as Leonard racked up 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists a night.
Ultimately, Leonard’s 2021 Playoff run was transient due to a torn ACL. As Leonard rehabbed his severe injury, LA struggled this past season. With Leonard unavailable for the entirety of the season, and with George forced to miss 51 games as he dealt with torn ligaments in his right elbow, LA struggled to 42 victories.
Still, despite their struggles, the Clippers franchise refused to be myopic in their approach as the NBA trade deadline loomed. On a whim, LA swung a deal that netted them the services of both Norman Powell and Robert Covington.
Currently, the NBA offseason is still in its infancy stages but LA has quietly made gigantic moves. On the first day of free agency, LA quickly re-signed Amir Coffey and Nicolas Batum on multi-year deals. From there, the Clippers immediately turned their attention to John Wall, a former five-time All-Star.
In short order, Wall agreed to a two-year deal worth $13.2 million. All along, Green has paid close attention to what LA has put together. As he now surveys the Clippers roster from top to bottom, the former four-time NBA Champion becomes steadfast in his belief that the Clippers will serve as a monumental test come next season.
“You go pull a trade off and get Robert Covington and Norman Powell. And you already have Marcus Morris there, Reggie Jackson. They’re a real threat. They’re a threat and a problem.”