Draymond Green is headed to free agency after declining his $27.5 million option next season with the Warriors. Could he wind up coming home?
The Pistons could use a proven winner like Green in their young locker room as they try to climb the Eastern Conference ladder under Monty Williams, and they have money to spend this summer. The Saginaw native, who starred at Michigan State from 2008-12, plays with a defensive edge that Detroit's been lacking.
Gator says "there's a big part of me that wants" the Pistons to bring Green on board, "and it's not the MSU connection:"
"He could be perfect for a team that's trying to get started, because this is a guy who can lead by example and who plays defense. It's not a foreign word to him. He's more than willing to do it. He's not going to fill up the stat sheet, it's not what he's there for. He's there for all the intangible stuff that all good teams need to have.
"But, does he take things too far to the point that it's just not going to work? Because he has a reputation around the league: he's a technical waiting to happen."
Green has amassed 163 technical fouls, 17 ejections and four suspensions over his 11-year career. He's also an eight-time All-Defensive selection, four-time All-Star and four-time NBA champ. Karsch says he's "been begging for the Pistons to get a veteran that knows how to win, but I think he's more likely to end up in LA, Phoenix or Miami."
The Suns, who just traded for Bradley Beal, are loading up for a run at the title next season and were recently purchased by Michigan State grad and former Spartans basketball player Matt Ishbia. Green, 33, averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists last season.
Gator says he asks himself: "Is this the right time to add a Draymond Green to this Pistons team, or do they need to play together for another year before you bring him in?"
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