An Eastern Conference executive who spoke to Sean Deveney of Heavy.com believes the Pistons are a team to watch if Draymond Green doesn’t sign an extension with the Warriors before he becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2023. Green was born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, attended Michigan State, and grew up rooting for the Pistons, who have long had interest in acquiring him, according to the executive.
“(Pistons owner Tom) Gores is a Michigan State guy, and they wanted to give Draymond an offer sheet when he was a free agent (in 2015), but by then, the Warriors were going to match any offer,” the executive told Heavy.com. “So they just have not had the chance. If they can show some improvement this year with their young guys, they could get themselves in the mix.”
The idea of Green playing a mentor role on a young Pistons team is an intriguing one, and the combination of his local connection, Detroit’s projected 2023 cap room, and the rising cost of the Warriors’ roster make it a possibility worth considering. But for now, this feels more like idle speculation by a rival executive than anything concrete.
If Green and the Warriors are far apart in contract talks and he seriously considers leaving in 2023, Detroit could certainly emerge as an option, but there’s no reason at this point to think that Golden State won’t make every effort to lock up one of the cornerstones of its recent dynasty.
Here are a few more notes from around the East:
- In a separate story for Heavy.com, Sean Deveney spoke to a pair of assistant coaches about veterans the Celtics could theoretically target with one of their trade exceptions if they want to fortify their frontcourt. Alex Len, Tony Bradley, and Marquese Chriss are among the names mentioned, though I suspect the team may simply fill that spot on the depth chart with a minimum-salary signing.
- Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com considers the best- and worst-case scenarios for newly-signed Sixers forward P.J. Tucker, noting that the veteran’s age (37) increases the risk of a decline in his performance.
- Addressing recent rumors linking Kevin Durant to the Sixers, David Murphy of The Philadelphia Inquirer says the team needs to answer two important questions: Do the 76ers have the assets necessary to acquire Durant? And if so, would it make sense to cash all of them in for the two-time Finals MVP?
Most dragons are flame breathers, but this Balkan dragon is a flame thrower #Clutch link to m.youtube.com … Luka had a good game, 23pts in 3qtrs. Goran was the hero tho
Draymond to the Pistons would actually be a kinda cool way for him to finish his career.
He’s always been a tough guy and playing for the Pistons known historically as the bad boys would be cool. Plus the fact they are starting to actually build something good with Cade and Jaden in the backcourt, I also like Duren at centre and Bey on the wing.
Give it a season or two and a side of Cade Jaden Bey Draymond and Duren would be pretty cool and would likely be a playoff side.
The rise in Detroit would be perfect timing with GSW getting older and wanting to potentially add younger pieces.
Maybe in a year or two they get him in Fa or trade with the likes of Bagley and Hayes as expendable players
Umm…Uh…What? The Warriors have been adding young talent for the past few seasons now. Did you really miss that?
How do you extend Poole then Wiseman and Kuminga ?
Offer them new contracts. That is how you usually extend a players contract.
They’re saying they may not be able to keep Jordan Poole. Perhaps why they drafted a couple of guards like Hollins and santos. In fact Ryan Hollins could be a Jordan Poole replica if we’re lucky.
They are saying they might not be able to extend all 3 of Poole, Draymond and Wiggins, and that one might be left out for astronomical tax reasons. I wonder, though, if the NBA might make some additional changes to cap rules for home grown players.
Makes a lot of sense Simmons>. I could see it happening as well. Draymond was a tremendous incredibly important piece of the Warriors Dynasty but there’s something within a guy that often says he wants to go home and play.
It’s funny how Klay and Steph and Draymond all have specific but VERY different roles which fit together. In Detroit there would be no Steph nor Klay so draymond’s rebounding defense and toughness would be lined up with length athleticism and slashing instead of shooting and shooting and defense.
I wouldn’t mind seeing it as the Warriors replace the older guys with young reinforcements. Especially of green wants more than 25 million a year.
They have already started adding younger players.
Dray will be 34+ by the time he pulls on a Pistons jersey. He can still bring the mental side but temper the expectations for the physical. Still, a guy with his credentials could do a lot for a future playoff wannabe.
His defense will drop as lateral movement will wane. It’s funny the things that don’t go away as you get older like shooting, are not part of his game. He’d still be a good piece to add though.
My guy CWebb coulda won a title in Detroit if not for Bron just being ridiculously dominant back in 07. Other than Greg Kelser I can’t think of any other Michigan guys that did #s for the Pistons. Mateen Cleaves clearly don’t count
Just remembered Terry Mills. & I feel Derrick Coleman played at least a season or 2 in Detroit at the end of his career
John Long and Terry Tyler had real careers with DET. Long was there through at least the start of their run to the title. Not sure if he actually got a ring.
Without looking it up from what I remember John long and Terry Tyler were late 70s early ’80s? Way before the Pistons were good in the late ’80s?
When I think of John long and Terry Tyler I think of John Drew and Dan Roundfield of the Hawks. Late seventies early ’80s.
I looked up Long. He was in DET continuously through 1985-86, but also reacquired in 1988-89 (championship year) and 1991 (briefly). DET was a playoff team from 1983-84 on (they played the Knicks that year in 4/5 series that year and lost 3-2, which is how I remembered Long playing with most of that core group). Long only listed for ATL in 1989-90.
Excellent. I didn’t mean to be lazy just trying to draw upon memory and seeing how close I am. Good stuff as usual.
It would be actually be great to see him on the Pistons to end his career. I’m all for it.
Told Dubs fans before this Dray extension is the Key to the next ring
I’m a Dubs fan, you didnt tell me.
Green to pistons
Not happening
Salary and roster spots are issues
He two seasons left on his contract. They could easily win this season. So, it is not a key.
No, next Season is a PO, so if Dray is not extented he probably test the UFA next off season … Ask Lakers, Suns and more if they won’t try to sign him
You have no idea what he is going to do. Why pretend?
Sebch, you do have a point. Those teams could come calling and Draymond just might take the next bus out of town. He probably wants to be appreciated the way Shaq attempted to do so in his career. “I didn’t win just because of Kobe.”
“I could win with Dwyane Wade I could win with LeBron and I could win with the celtics.” Didn’t work out all the time for him, but guys want to be their own guy sometimes and show they can do it and THEY were a big reason for the Rings.
Draymond can’t score and the game has and always will be about Buckets. So he isn’t nor will he ever be that dude.
Dray is the test of what culture really means to a team. Common sense is an excuse offered up for a lot of financial moves, but the winners always seem to spend the most.
If Green insist on a over paid contract I can see him walking and wish him good luck. He is getting older so does he deserve a max deal?
No way no how.
Do the 76ers have the assets necessary to acquire Durant? And if so, would it make sense to cash all of them in for the two-time Finals MVP? ………………..”NO!!!!”
Why shouldn’t they???!! Easy answer do it
Yes.
Short answer on having assets KD: Nope.
So let’s get rid if Thybulle, Korkmaz, Shake, Bassey for 1 wing scorer like Clarkson. Sign Morris, Sign Boogie/Dwight.
Embiid – Boogie
Tobias – Morris
PJ – House
Harden – Clarkson
Shake – Melton
Niang, Joe, Queen, Springer, Bball make up the rest of the squad.
I hope you really just didn’t forget about Maxey
I’m routing for Draymond no matter what uniform he wears. He’s earned my respect and he’s earned his money. Now GSW can weigh their options with talent behind him. Just saying.. everyone has their price not everyone can pay it. If he doesn’t play for us I want to see him tbag LeBron before it’s over. He’s owed one