Draymond Green (Photo : REUTERS)
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to pursue every elite talent available on the free-agency market this offseason, whether they are unrestricted or free-agents. With salary cap money that could go up to $24 million and a star-studded recruiting cast, the purple-and-gold is out to land the next big cornerstone of the franchise.
While Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge placed on top of every team's free-agent target list, Golden State Warriors banger Draymond Green has emerged as a very intriguing talent this season. Averaging 11.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists in the regular-season, Green turned into an important player for the Warriors as he made big impact both on the offensive and defensive end of the court.
Green, who finished runner-up to Kawhi Leonard for Defensive Player of the Year, has been instrumental in helping the Warriors reach the NBA finals for the first time since 1975. It's given that the Warriors want to retain Green's service for more seasons. However, with first year of Klay Thompson's four-year, $70 million contract extension kicking in per HoopsHype, it's going to be really hard keeping their core intact.
If Warriors would not make a swift move in locking in Green right away, the Lakers could come out of nowhere to snag such a quality big man. The Lakers direly need a defensive presence in interior after their defense hit rock bottom the past two seasons. Moreover, Green's versatility as a stretch four would be a welcome addition for the Lakers, as they look to finally solve their spacing problems that stunt their offense for quite some time.
Although the Warriors have the right to match any offer, it won't be a shocker to see the Lakers going all in for Green, especially if their top targets (Aldridge, Gasol, or Kevin Love) aren't available anymore. The Lakers can offer Green a contract that could pay him north of $15MM per year and an opportunity to play with his favorite player Kobe Bryant in potentially his last season.
At 25-years old, Green has a lot of years left to make a name for himself. The Warriors perhaps can give him the chance to win more championships, but he won't get anything but third-fiddle recognition to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. With the Lakers, he will have all the opportunity in the world to become the best player he wants to be while becoming an important cornerstone of the franchise in the post-Kobe era.
