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Draymond Green
This is an iHeart podcast. The volume.
Stephen Curry
What needs to happen this offseason for the warriors to be real contenders again?
Draymond Green
I think, you know, the heavy lift has been done. Like, we added Jimmy. I think that was the biggest thing that needed to happen. Now we got that. Now you can tool around that. You know, our team was tooled around staff. Now you know how Jimmy looks in the system. You know how Jimmy likes to play. You can also tool around that as well. So I think, you know, just locking in from that front, understanding what we got, where we can get better and making those pushes, you know, but free agency is tough, man. You know, you trying to court people and make the best offer, and you don't always know what it is, Right? Like, for some guys, it could be the highest dollar amount. For some other guys, it could be totally different. So I think just going into it, it's just all about looking to see. Like, all right, now we know how it looks. Now we got that part figured out. Now what does it look like around that? So I think we're in a much better position heading into this one than we were last year.
Stephen Curry
Yeah. Yeah. I got. Y' all got some money to play around with. Y' all got some, you know, some young talent that, you know, is not taking up a lot of the salary cap. You gotta adjust Kaminga, you know, things. Free agents in this class. So, yeah, yeah, I got some work to do. But like you said, shoring up the. You know, the ox. That's what I'm gonna start calling y'.
Kevin Durant
All.
Stephen Curry
We gonna show up.
Draymond Green
The uncle's crazy also. Y' all gotta stop with this unc stuff. In my hood, my hood, uncles uncle's a crackhead. In my hood, y' all be calling. Okay, yeah, I don't.
Stephen Curry
I don't.
Draymond Green
I don't. Chill. That'll never be okay with me.
Stephen Curry
Like the U. The Bay Area U. That's.
Draymond Green
Hey, bro, you letting. You letting your hair grow back in?
Stephen Curry
No, I'm about to cut it.
Draymond Green
What's going on?
Stephen Curry
That hurt.
Draymond Green
I'm just asking the question, Chat. That's it.
Stephen Curry
Draymond is eye for eye. Hey, man, look, I'm just trying to see what happens, see if my hair grow. Grow back. You know, I like them little curls. I like to have my hair nappy. Like the little naps. I like that.
Draymond Green
You gotta go to Turkey.
Stephen Curry
The Turkey?
Draymond Green
Yeah. You gotta go to Turkey.
Stephen Curry
For what? What's in Turkey?
Draymond Green
Hey, dude, they waiting for you. You gotta go to Turkey.
Stephen Curry
All right, if you can say one thing, to warriors fans right now, unfiltered.
Draymond Green
What would it be? I don't really got nothing to say. What up? Domination.
Stephen Curry
Just about the season, like.
Draymond Green
Well, I ain't got no gripes. Oh, just about the season, like.
Stephen Curry
Like, oh, like, you know, we gonna come back better or, oh, well, I ain't.
Draymond Green
I ain't hyping no dubs fans up. They know what it is. You know, they.
Stephen Curry
You did say I was gonna win it all.
Draymond Green
Yeah, I know. I. I know what it could have, should have got, but, you know, you know what I'm saying? It's all good. We gonna leave it where it's at. It's all good. All right. I'm gonna congratulate the Oklahoma City Thunder because I'm not one of them hating, you know, these guys out here behaving. I'm gonna leave it that way. It's at. And I'm gonna congratulate them guys because they are champions. All right, so where is that?
Stephen Curry
With that said, what is. What has been your best moment or moment in the 2024, 2025 season?
Draymond Green
Best moment of the 202425 season?
Stephen Curry
Man, when you got that buck?
Draymond Green
Huh?
Stephen Curry
When you got that buck, what do you.
Kevin Durant
I.
Stephen Curry
When you went down the line, I forget what team it was. I think he hit a three. Then you went down the line and got a duck. He was going crazy.
Draymond Green
Oh, man.
Stephen Curry
You barely got you. You got that.
Draymond Green
That's light work, man. You know, we ain't moving off no play. You know what I'm saying? No regular season plays. You know, I'll be watching. The game's gotta happen. Plays gotta happen in the playoffs for really matter.
Stephen Curry
Right, right, right.
Draymond Green
When did you. When did you dunk over Karolenko in the playoffs?
Stephen Curry
Everything all right.
Draymond Green
That's the only reason.
Stephen Curry
Yeah, everything matters.
Draymond Green
Yeah, it only matter, you know, so we ain't tripping on that. You know what I'm saying? That's light work.
Stephen Curry
What about the night night moment when you hit your.
Draymond Green
That was fun. That was fun.
Stephen Curry
That was fun. That was a good one.
Draymond Green
That was fun. I enjoyed the season, though, you know, like, I, I, hey, I came out of this season feeling better than I did three years ago, you know, So I think most importantly that, you know, that just health continuing to grow. Yeah, I. I think overall net positive, not just keep it rolling to win this championship next year, but overall net positive, man, so I'm looking forward to this next one. Obviously getting this team right, getting the roster right, knowing what we looking right, like rolling into next Year, but, you know. You know how I'm rolling in championship, baby.
Stephen Curry
You know, that's the pedigree. Y' all back? Y' all back. Y' all back to pedigree.
Draymond Green
Absolutely. So that's how we roll.
Stephen Curry
But I also want to send out some love to. To Tyrese. You had two teammates, Ted and Achilles. How hard can a team bounce back when one of your best players get hurt?
Draymond Green
I think it's tough, man. You know, we. We obviously had Clay go down. KD went down, but he left.
Stephen Curry
Same.
Draymond Green
Year Steph went down. Like, it's tough. You're not winning without your best player in this league. You could put together a decent season, but it ain't happening. But, man, I do send my love and well wish to Tyrese, though, just on the speedy recovery, leaving it all out there on the floor. You know, these. These Caf to Achilles injuries are tricky, man. I put on my threads account as soon as it happened. Like, man, that look too familiar.
Stephen Curry
Yeah.
Draymond Green
NBA Finals elimination game. Gotta get the cooking, cooking, cooking. KD got the cooking. Like, it was just looking.
Stephen Curry
Katie was cooking, cooking. Oh, my gosh.
Draymond Green
And so, man, I. I just wish him well and a speedy recovery. That sucks, man. But I'll tell you what it does. When you look at the Indiana Pacers about to go into the tax for the first time, it'll be interesting to see if they change their tune, because you got Holly out for a whole year now, more than likely.
Stephen Curry
So.
Draymond Green
Man, you just want injury from everything changing, man.
Stephen Curry
Totally. Totally, man. I went down. I damn near wanted to cry for my bro. Cause, you know, to not get a chance to finish is heartbreaking. And he deserved it. He fought to a game seven. He fought with an injury. We talked about it on this show, that playing with that calf muscle was going to be risky. Remember we talked about if he can show up and give us a Willis Reed. He did that game 6:23, that was a little bit more. But coming into game seven, it's like you forget that. That the way you feel going into a game seven, you feel so much better. Yeah, but you're not so much better.
Draymond Green
You still the same, right?
Stephen Curry
It's more damage if anything.
Draymond Green
Yeah. When I say still the same, I mean, you're still dealing with the same.
Stephen Curry
You're still dealing with the same thing. And a lot of times, like, you so hype and you feel good. Like, how many times? I can remember so many times, like, man, I feel good and then jump and land and be like, now, how did this happen? Right? You Forget that. Oh, you still injured? Are you still nursing the injury? So it was tough to watch that because that young man deserved to be able to finish that game and walk off that court on his own. But he will be back. I know that's right. He'll be back.
Draymond Green
Most definitely will. Most definitely. So shout out to Tyrese man and the Indiana Patriots. They had a great year. Get to the NBA Finals. Sucks when you get there and lose, but they had an incredible year. So congratulations to those guys as well. KD was at Fanatics Fest, which we just spoke about, in the middle of an interview when he was traded to the Houston Rockets. And there are some conspiracy theories floating around. So I must ask you, before we get into the truth trade, what side of the conspiracy theory do you stand on? They said KD chose for that news to come come out on Sunday because he wanted to overshadow the Thunder. I personally don't think KD is that type of guy, but that's what people tried to say.
Stephen Curry
No, I ain't rocking with that.
Draymond Green
Me. That's great.
Stephen Curry
I'm not about that.
Draymond Green
I can't. I can't rock with the conspiracy theories.
Stephen Curry
A lot of times, you know, these trades, they happen and they just happen. Like the desperation of the team to get it done. And then information travel fast in our sport, right? So, Katie, the player is the last person to know that they getting traded.
Draymond Green
Facts always.
Stephen Curry
So him fighting out on stage and you know, at the festival for fanatics, that could possibly be, you know, real. I mean, maybe he knew. Maybe he had to just like he. I mean, maybe he knew it was coming, but at the same time during the interview, the fan reaction, right? And the call out from the fan, that's what I liked about the content. You know, seeing fans and seeing how media travels so fast. You know, now the player is really the last person to know. If you're not on social media or like a kd, you don't feel like answering your phone for two days. You chilling. Then everybody find out. Then you find, you know, then you find out like, damn, for real.
Draymond Green
Is it possible that we can create this situation for everyone? Like, you think about how many guys have the bad story. Harrison Barnes can trade a while on the bench. DeMarcus Cousins getting traded, finding out he's traded in the middle of an interview after the All Star Game. Do you think that this is a way the NBA, like, should this be a requirement for the NBA, like, for guys not to look stupid, you know, because those as. As happy as kd Was Right. Like, for most. To your point, for most guys, they could find that out sitting on that stage and they don't know.
Stephen Curry
Right. I think. I mean, I'm kind of like, yes and no. Because part of working for a team or part of being on team management is, you know what? If you just want to trade somebody just because you think it's a good deal now you got. I mean, if you said the first person. I think the first person that should be told is the actual player.
Draymond Green
That's what I'm saying.
Stephen Curry
Yeah, I agree with that.
Draymond Green
Because I think, you know, for most players, right, like, of course you're not going to be in the driver's seat like Kevin Durant was. But there should be some type of system, some type of fine system, like, yo, let's get out before these players and this player's camp is alerted. Like, that's an issue. You know, I think there should.
Stephen Curry
Yeah, go ahead.
Draymond Green
I think there should be ultimately some type of guideline to be upheld. You know that. Because it can be a great thing. Right? But at the same time, like, just finding out wherever your feet stand, that's crazy.
Stephen Curry
It's. It's hella gray, right? Cause think about it. Like, the media is always gonna find out before you that you got traded. Cause they the one doing all the digging, right? So soon as the trade happened, one side or the other side, I mean, obviously they should contact the player, but the player's still gonna feel like he didn't know.
Draymond Green
Yeah, right.
Stephen Curry
I. I remember getting traded from the Clippers to Cleveland, and Vinny Del Negro sat down and was like, oh, man, you know, we like what we. We like what we like. We're gonna sit you down, you know, don't even worry about playing. Don't worry about playing New Orleans. I'm in the locker room, and the media lady came up to me. She was like, you know you're getting traded, right? I was like, hell, no. For real? I was like, hell, no. For real. Hey, bro, it was shocking. I was shocked, right? I was shocked.
Draymond Green
So how did you react to that, though?
Stephen Curry
Like, you know, I stood firm. I stood firm. But by the time the game was over, by the time I got to the bus, they was like, well, the train ain't happening. It ain't happened yet. I gotta say, you know, I got family in New Orleans. Say bye to my family, get on the bus. And then now my teammate's finding out, right? Uh. Oh, look, like, then we get on the plane and it happens. So I gotta fly back Home with the Clippers, with Vinnie Del Negro, all the players on the team. So I decided that, you know, I've been quiet over here for two and a half years. I ain't really said that. I ain't really said nothing to nobody. I mean, you know, keeping it low key. So I just went up to each person and just kind of told them how I felt about them and how I'm going to continue to feel about them. Some of it was love, some of it was just like, you know, critique. But it was more so like I wasn't really tripping by the time I got off the plane. I wasn't really tripping anyway, right. I was like, it is what it is. But it was important for me to kind of like get that angst off my chest. Cause I was, you know, you dealing with some. When you're not winning, you're dealing with some busters. And at a certain point of the league, the league was shifting to like where it is now. So there was going to be a conflict between what's old and what's new, that they work hard for it. Are they entitled? Like, we have to do all this, they not doing nothing, you know. And then to your point, like, the media knowing management, not really. I'm, you know, I got beef with management, so it can happen at any time. They did approach me and ask me for a buyout, which I probably should have took, you know, considering the circumstances. If I look back, it wasn't as bad a deal as I thought it would. Would be to like get up out of there. But yeah, I just let everybody know how I feel. Sat down with everybody, sit down with the young dudes. Like, DJ told them like, yo, bro, like, you could, you could really do something, you know, like, don't get caught up and all the shit that you saw me caught up in, you know, just. Just hope, you know it's gonna be different front for you. You know what I'm saying?
Draymond Green
So question. After this happened and you could have taken the buyout, but you didn't. Your next deal, what was your next deal you signed after this contract that you were currently thinking about taking the buyout on, what was the next deal you signed?
Stephen Curry
I think it was like, this was like my. I was already like two years into my last deal. So my next deal was like a two year deal. Because I was hurt.
Draymond Green
How much? Like, was it more than minimum? I don't need to.
Stephen Curry
I think it was like around the minimum.
Draymond Green
Okay. Because the question I had was, I feel like when you do take buyouts in this league where you say, it may have been a great situation, but I feel like when you do take buyouts in this league, it's almost hard to get off the minimum from that point moving forward.
Stephen Curry
Yeah, I think, well, I would have probably not been hurt. Went to Charlotte, right? Got a chance to get back with Jay Rich and Stack in the East Coast. So I wasn't worried about the minimum, you know what I mean? Because I was still. I was still one of the illest. But it was just. I was playing for the Clippers, okay? Right. And so, okay, it was. It was hard to wake up every day and you gotta deal with so much drama before you can actually play basketball. You gotta do all this talking before you can shoot a basketball. You gotta do all this scouting and all this shit. And it's like, man, can we just fight five on five one day and everybody shut the fuck up? Like, that's how we get better, right? But it was just, you know, it was just like where, you know, it just wore on me. It just wore on me. So. But I was still good and I was still, you know, I can get whatever numbers at that point. I can get whatever numbers I wanted depending on how to flow the game or what my perspective on the game. So leaving, I probably would have had a better opportunity to like, I was not hurt to pick up and then take off again somewhere else. Right. The NBA Finals are here and every play could be the one that changes everything. This is the NBA playoffs, where heroes rise, legacies are built, and the action never lets up. And with DraftKings Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NBA, you don't just watch the madness, you live it back. Your favorite team ride with your clutch time killer bet on the buzzer beaters. The breakout performances, the game winning threes. From player props to same game parlays, this is how you take your fandom to the next level. If you're new to the game, no Sweat. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app. Bet just $5 and if your bet wins, you'll score $300 in bonus bets. It's that easy. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook App and use the Code Baron. That's Code Baron for new customers to get $300 in bonus bets. If your bet wins, when you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings, the crown is yours.
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Draymond Green
Obviously, the Phoenix Suns has agreed on a blockbuster trade center. 15 time NBA All Star, two time final MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green. Dillon brooks, the number 10 pick in this year's NBA draft and five second round picks. So just taking that into account, obviously the deal is done. Now what's your take on these new look Rockets add kdn.
Stephen Curry
You know man, that was going to be my, that was going to be my question to you. You know I've been saying that KD is an upgrade. When you think about what the Rockets needed, they need efficient scoring and what KD brings in presence, his offensive awareness, his defensive awareness, his overall, I'm aiming to win a championship. I think it's a fair trade. Right. I wanted to know how you felt because I was analyzing y' all game and y' all series as the reason why this trade happened. Because when you look at a Jalen Green and you look at Dylan Brooks and you say when they played well, did the Rockets win?
Draymond Green
More than likely, you know they were not.
Stephen Curry
Yeah, I'm saying no. In that series against Golden State. Oh, right. In that series, Jalen Green had one great game. Right. They won. Dylan Brooks say he was as consistent. He was consistent, right. He didn't like he had a consistent series. Jalen Green had an up and down series. Right. Now you start looking at who could they rely on, man. Fleet, Sengon and Thompson.
Draymond Green
Yep.
Stephen Curry
And so Thompson leapfrog.
Draymond Green
I would say that. Here's what I was saying. I know no one gives them credit, but also I thought Jabari Smith was really.
Stephen Curry
That's what I was saying. Yes, I thought so too.
Draymond Green
And I thought Jabari Smith worked his way back from almost going the wrong way as the number two pick to like hold on now, don't like I can compete at this level. And I think he worked his way back and will probably be in the star lineup of this Rockets team moving forward. And I think well deserved. So you know, when I look at it and you know you mentioned those two guys. Listen, anytime you can add a Kevin Durant, it's an upgrade. I don't care who you are as a team, any team in the, in the world in basketball, if you add Kevin Durant, it's an upgrade. Now you start speaking on like if you add Kevin Durant for Steph Curry now those are different conversations. But if you're just in this case, you know, or in most cases, you add Kevin Durant to the roster is that it's going to be an upgrade. So make no mistake about it, you know, everybody trying to make like these conversation pieces, it's. Katie, you add him to the roster, your roster is better. Now you talk about. Now, if you want to discuss the business of basketball, then you have a different discussion. When you start talking about salary and what happens with caps and all, that's a totally different question. But that's not what we're talking about here. What we're talking about here is you add Katie to that team, is that team better? And where they struggled was, you know, Jalen had a very tough playoff series. You like to think if he had a better playoff series, they win, who knows? But you'd like to at least think that Dylan Brooks was, like you said, he was consistent all year. He played well, he shot the ball really well this year. Dillon Brooks is who he is on a contract like Dillon Brooks on. You will always kind of be the throw in piece.
Stephen Curry
Yep, absolutely. Yeah.
Draymond Green
You know, and that's just kind of the nature, nature of the business. I don't think Dillon Brooks was traded because Dylan Brooks did anything wrong in this situation. I think Dylan Brooks was traded because quite honestly, that's how this business works. And your contract make the money work. They want Kevin Durant, your contract make the money work. And, you know, when you look at the way this team has been built, of course they're going to trade, throw Dylan Brooks in to make that money work before they throw Jabari Smith in or before they throw Tyrese. Like these, these young guys that were drafted by this general manager now, Jalen Green was as well. He ain't gonna just get rid of all the people he drafted. You know, he got rid of one. And so I think when I look at this, it's an upgrade. KD has his familiarity with Eme Udoka as a coach. I think KD still wants to compete at a high level. And I think this team, like, when you look at the rosters of everywhere we heard KD may go, this team did the least gutting of a roster that a team may have had to do to make an upgrade, to still make an upgrade and still keep. Keep the roster in a good spot. So that's what I think happens for the Rockets. That's. That's the way I think it looks for them for kd. Let's talk about Phoenix. On the other hand, I Think it's a little different situation, but for the Rockets, I think it's good. Also, shout out to Freddie V. Got a new two years. Shout out to Fred Deal to stay with the Rockets. Well, the way I saw him lead that team in the playoffs and they're going to need his leadership. Yeah, I told you they're going to need his leadership with that team. I think with Fred's demeanor and how Fred go about things and with KD and how KD go about things, I think it'll be a good match. Yeah, you get stuff. Exactly. Some of the stuff that K don't want to do and people try to make it like an indictment on K's character. No, there's just some stuff that we're all human beings and there's some. We all have strengths, we all have weaknesses and certain things that KD don't like to do. Fred will do that. And guess what? On a basketball team in team sports, that's actually how it's supposed to work. And so, you know, I think this puts them in a really good position. I think they're obviously going to be a team to be reckoned with. You expecting going to make a big jump after the playoffs. He had, you know, you expect Tyreson and all those guys made jumps. So it'll be interesting, I think. You know, I think that team is in a really good position and I definitely think it's an upgrade.
Stephen Curry
Shout out to our boy Fred for that fleek again. I mean, I just. I totally agree. The New Orleans Pelicans are traded CJ McCollum, Kelly Olenek and a future second round pick to the Washington Wizards for Jordan Poole, Sadiq Bay and the number 40 overall pick in the second round of the NBA draft. What does this trade mean for both teams? Draymond, what does it mean for the Pelicans?
Draymond Green
What this means for the Pelicans is that Joe D's coming in, he's making some changes. He wanted to see, you know, acquire some young talent in Jordan Poole to see if he can still make it work with next to the Zions, you know, Trey, Herb Jones, you know, see if you can put it together with these young guys. I think so. When I look at this Pelicans, this move you got Dejounte Obi coming off an Achilles injury. When I look at this Pelican move, I like. I think when you add a talent like Jordan Poole, C.J. is kind of who C.J. is, you know, Jordan. Jordan still has room for growth. I don't think we've seen the best of his growth yet. And I think getting in an organization like New Orleans under Joe Dumar's leadership, you know, with Willie Green, that's coach I think will be a really good situation for him. I think Washington, the first year he spent the Justin last year, he had a really good year, numbers wise. But when you're on that team, it don't matter. And so I think, you know, when I look at, when I look at this for the Pelicans, I look at this as a net boss. You know, you didn't, you didn't have to go crazy. From a salary cap standpoint, I think Jordan may make a little less than CJ or right around the same amount, you know, but yet I think you still got time for him to prove himself. A couple more years left on his deal. Two or three more years left on his deal. I think he still got time to prove himself and with some young guys who also looking to take that next step. And so I think they become a team that you got to watch out for in the West. You know, they got a lot of talent, they go, they can put it together, they going to creep up and can possibly have a good year. So that's what I think this move.
Stephen Curry
Mean for the Pelicans, the Wizards.
Draymond Green
What you got for the Wizards? You, you know, I look at that trade for the Wizards, you know, I.
Stephen Curry
Actually like it for the Wizards. Why? Because I think CJ McCollum is what the Wizards need. You need some veteran leadership. You need someone who can play basketball. You need someone that can talk to your young guys and get them in positions to play NBA basketball. You got a Lennox there who's like, you know, a bridge player, somebody who can come in, learn the system, be a vet. So you really trade in, you know, young energy from Pool, who is a dynamic scorer. But you bet on Pool to be, you know, your next all star superstar player and leader. I think you're going to get the leadership in McCollum. You're going to get more consistency out of. What do you have now? I don't know how, how many years McCollum got on this contract, but I, I, I, I just like that. I like this trade in favor of CJ and then I also think for Washington, it's a good move to start cement your organization with some veterans around, especially the young guys you have. Cause they're going to take some time to develop or if they develop properly, they could skyrocket over half a season with their talent.
Draymond Green
No doubt, no doubt. I think what we're starting to see more is teams went so far left with the youth movement that they're realizing that, no, you can go young, but you got to have some veteran leadership in there, or it's the blind leading the blind. And that don't work. And so I think that's what we're starting to see. You know, when you look at this OKC team, they started all those young guys, but throughout those years they brought in Chris Paul, you know, and different guys. That has helped continue to show, from a veteran leadership standpoint, the way to Shay and for Shay to take the reins. So I think teams are starting to realize that. I know Will Dawkins comes out of the OKC tree and, you know, just to watch him put those veteran leaders around those young guys, I think makes sense. I expect CJ to go in there asking for an extension to extend that money, but I think overall, I think it's a good move for both groups. But the NBA draft is currently going on. NBA draft ain't one of my fondest nights. You know, you was the third pick, so maybe you want to, like, get all hyped for the draft. I think that shit don't matter.
Stephen Curry
It don't. It's all about where you go, man. I always say the draft is whatever team you go to, what system, it don't matter where you, what pick you go. You just want to go to the right situation. And we've seen that countless amount of times with, you know, players in the second round. You look at, I think, you know, the story that's most relevant in my time was Rashad Lewis, you know, being a first round pick and getting drafted in the second round, being upset, but wind up going to Seattle and wind up becoming the man faster than he would if he would have, you know, went to a Portland at the time or Indiana at the time and had to sit behind some vets. So, you know, the draft for me, it was incredible, you know, being the third pick. I didn't really know nothing about Charlotte. I didn't really know who was on the team until I got drafted. Yeah, I went to a good team. I went to a vet team, a playoff team, a team that was trying to make it in the playoffs in the tough Eastern Conference. And I got a chance my rookie year to sit on the bench, which I did not like as the number three pick. As the Cubs tell me, I should be starting by mid season, but it was cool if I would have got drafted earlier, later, who knows what kind of System. But I went to a system where I was able to grow and then ultimately become an all star in year three.
Draymond Green
No doubt. No, I think, you know, I think where you go, like you said, is far more important. Where was you at on Jeff works out in. I was in Saginaw, the Dow event center, baby, with a terrible suit on.
Stephen Curry
And how was it? Well, how did it go for you? Because you were supposed to be a lottery pick, right?
Draymond Green
Yeah, I wasn't necessarily going to be lottery, but I definitely was like projected to be top 20. Top 20, top 25.
Stephen Curry
Yeah.
Draymond Green
And you know, to go 35th pick, it's like, dang. You see the end of that first round, you're like, man, so it's a great night, but it was very bittersweet for me.
Stephen Curry
Was people overreacting at the party or at your event? Were more people overreacting than you or were. I know you were disappointed, but what was the hype? And then like the whole. The death.
Draymond Green
I don't think anybody overreacted. I think people were all shocked. You know, you could kind of feel like the angst waying like Wayne and like, man, like when is going to happen? But I don't think anybody overreacted. Nobody made too much of it. I probably, I probably felt the most about it, you know what I'm saying? Just because I know the work that I had put in and I knew what I had to offer. And so the one in the second round was baffling to me. But in saying that, to get your name called, an NBA draft especially so, I'm forever grateful for that moment. I hope these guys enjoy, enjoy that night and then understand that tomorrow, man, yeah, one guy may get an opportunity faster, but tomorrow, everybody on an equal playing field, you got to go prove that you belong in the NBA and what you can bring to a team.
Stephen Curry
Reaction to Drew Holiday, man, getting traded to the Blazers for Anthony Simons and second round picks. What's your thought on that?
Draymond Green
Yeah, I think it's just funny to see Drew traded back to the Blazers after the Celtics got him from the Blazers in order to help them win the championship. But in saying that, they say Drew don't want to be there. I think that was the case the first time he was traded there as well. But, you know, contract situation is different. I think he. Three years left on the deal, so it's kind of not up to you at this point, but we'll see what happens. But you know, you sign the contract is what it is. So, you know, the Blazers Going to do what's best for them, and they've made that very clear. You know, the. The best player in Blazer history wanted to be traded to certain places, and he wasn't traded to those places that he wanted to be traded to. So they've shown that as a franchise, they're going to do what's best for the Blazers, you know, so.
Stephen Curry
And it's a good pickup to him.
Draymond Green
To see how I play out. But I think Drew can also. Whether he. If he stay there, I think, you know, he can be a great asset for Chance, you know, bridging that gap between Chance and, you know, these young guys and kind of being that coach on the floor, that veteran leader who still got game. So, you know, I think still got a way to see how it play out, but, you know, this is a team that is young and definitely rebuilt. So be that it's draft night. I think that's. That. That may still shake something.
Stephen Curry
Yeah, okay. Yeah, I can see that. Still shaking up. But, you know, the Anthony Simons with Boston for Drew, I can understand why Boston is doing this. We can understand how he can fit in because Boston doesn't really. They need scoring. They need more scoring guards now because of, you know, one, I would say Jason Tatum going, going down, you know, looking for. For scoring is their dynamic. Shooting threes is their dynamic. You got another dude that can really get out, stretch the floor, catch fire. I think it works in a system. But for Drew, I think it's great for Portland and it's great for Drew. You get to mentor, you get to hoop. You're going to be in at the end of the games. You don't have to worry about, you know, you're going to be the closer. Right. And part of that closing team for the Blazers. And you get to bring Scoop along. And I like what Portland had last year. If as we get closer to see what they do, I'm going to probably call Portland as my sleeper team. Last year or this year, you know, my sleeper team was Houston at the beginning of the year, you see what they did. So, you know, Portland, I've been looking at, analyzing if they make a couple more moves and put a few pieces together. I look at Portland as a team that can make that jump because the young dudes are talented and play hard.
Draymond Green
All right, well, we're going to see as the team shape. Our free agency ain't even started out right.
Stephen Curry
That's what I'm saying.
Draymond Green
This agency has not started and this man giving a sleeper team that's ridiculous. What are we doing here?
Stephen Curry
Come on. You know I'll be doing my scout, man. I got a scout. I got a scout. Play gm. I play GM at home.
Draymond Green
Free free agency ain't started. The draft is just starting and this man is talking about who he got as a sleeper. And listen, they also, the Celtics also traded Christoph Spazingis to the Hawks. The Celtics, listen, this is all about the second apron. People said they didn't want super teams anymore. Well, here you have it. All these moves are being made to dodge that second apron. For those out there that don't know what the second apron is in layman's turn for you, it's a hard cap. It is a hard cap that no owner is dealing with because the penalties are crazy. You lose draft picks, you lose the mid level exception, you lose roster spots, you lose the ability to get better and compete as a team. And the amount of money that you lose is insanity. And so the Boston Celtics would have had a salary cap with luxury tax bill of $540 million. It is now at 280 because they got rid of those contracts. So for those that don't understand what the second apron is, as basic as I can put it for you, it is a hard cap. And when I said this before the deal was signed, that this is ridiculous and it's going to hurt players in the end, no one wanted to listen and everybody wanted to act like the PA was making a great deal. The PA made a shit deal, as the PA has done for years now. And every year the pot gets bigger and the business gets better and the players get screwed more. That's just how this business works. And so in saying that back to the Boston Celtics, that's what all of these moves are about, people. That's why they got rid of Porzingis. That's why they got rich Drew Holiday. That's why you're hearing so many people call on Jaylen Brown. You're hearing so many people call on Derrick White is because they know they want to get away from that second April tax and Jason Tatum being out. Things are up in the air. You trade for Anthony Simons, I think, listen, they're the Boston Celtics. They got to be competitive. But at the end of the day, it's an expiring deal cap situation.
Stephen Curry
All of those things recalibrate.
Draymond Green
Yeah. And you got Jason Tatum hurt. Right. So if I had to guess, Jaylen Brown, if he have any Knicks and knacks this year, probably won't be in the lineup because you're going to recalibrate, you're going to let your books settle. And then next year, with Jason Tatum coming back, then you try to retool and start going for it again. And that's just how these things work. You'll see this all over the NBA for years to come because that's just the way this, this CBA works. And so you'll see this happen over and over again. That's my feel. That's the second apron. I mean, Celtics, yeah, we, we asked.
Stephen Curry
For no more super teams, so we definitely going to get no more super teams. But we're also going to get teams that rise in the draft, do great things in free agency, and they're going to, it's going to be more broken up teams than the teams that you grow up on being like, yeah, this team has been together for five years. That's going to be hard to do. Especially, you know, having young players becoming great and getting better with that cap. Foreign.
Kevin Durant
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Stephen Curry
Gets traded to the Orlando Magic for KCP Cole Anthony Four unprotected first round picks and a pick swap. What do you think about the Magic move and how does Bane fit with the current Magic team? Okay, potential lineup Suggs Bane, Paulo, Franz, Wagner and Carter Jr. Did somebody get fleeced?
Draymond Green
Four unprotected first round picks in a pick swap. That's a lot.
Stephen Curry
That's wild. That's wild.
Draymond Green
So when I saw the trade, I was like, man, and I like Bane. That's a lot. And then I saw what Orlando's general manager said, I saw a quote he's made and it made complete sense to me why they would make that deal. He said something along the lines of, if you went into a lab and created a basketball player, you go into the lab and create Desmond Bay. And I said, oh, okay, that's why he gave up so much. All right, cool. Well, the reality is I think Desmond Baines done great. I think he's a very good player. But if I go in the lab and create a basketball player, I'm going to create Kevin Durant or LeBron James or like a six six dude with Steph Curry's jump shot. Desmond Bain is six, five with a six four wingspan or six, two wingspan or something of that nature. I'm not going in the lab of creating Desmond Bay. With all due respect to Desmond Bay, I'm not going to create a basketball.
Stephen Curry
Player with short arms.
Draymond Green
So when he said that, those are the things that went in my mind. Like, wait, he got short arms? You gonna go create a basketball player with Short arms. I don't quite understand that. And so I was a bit surprised by the statement, but I understood what he was trying to get at. Like Bane played both sides of the ball. But like, you gotta find a better way to articulate that. You can't like be like you're going to laugh when you go create a. When you go create a player on 2K, you ain't creating Desmond Bay size. You creating like 6, 9, 6, 10, where I handle and shoot. You're not creating Desmond Bay. But it made complete sense to me and why they made that move. And I'll take it a step further. I don't know this to be factual. This is just my guess. My guess is they've been looking for a point guard. My guess is they called on Ja and Memphis somehow formed it and curved the ball back around and it was Desmond Bain in the trade. Four first round picks and a unprotected pick swap is insane. So it's obviously a move that says they believe in Paolo, they believe in Franz Bogner, and we're going to put someone around them, some shooting that can add, you know what I'm saying, that can take some pressure off of them.
Stephen Curry
Bang is nice though.
Draymond Green
And he more than just a shooter. Like he can get to a bucket, you know, and so yeah, he a bucket. What the move signals to me is that they believe in those guys and they want to try to go for it with those guys. And also what that move says to me is, which I agree with, they think the league is wide open and right now is to take his shot. I just don't know if that's the shot I would have taken with four first round picks unprotected and a pick swap. I'm not sure that's the shot I would have taken. Just it seems like a lot. But I do understand where they at. I understand what they're doing, what they're thinking is, and I respect anybody who's willing to go for it.
Stephen Curry
All right, where does the Bane trade leave the Memphis Grizzlies?
Draymond Green
I think it leaves Memphis sort of in the same position that they were in. Not that Desmond Bain is just easily replaceable, but they still got Jaren, they still got Jaren, they still got Ja, they got a young Zach Eady, they got a young Jalen Wells, they got a young G.G. jackson, they got a young Scottie Pippen. So I think it leaves them like again, I always say this, I don't think. And I try to tell people this. All organizations ain't trying to win championships. Here they are. That's essentially a shred salary cap move for Memphis. Take all the picks back, shred some salary cap, see what we can do with these young guys. But if we can't really, and it don't matter, we got all these picks to for the future, right? That's a salary cap move. So where does it leave them? I think it should be clear as day to ja, you got to understand how this business work. Clear as day is that is that organization really trying to win a championship? When I see the move, I say, no, you're worried about other things and you're pulling away. But y' all just pulling back the taxes. Y' all pulling back. Y' all don't want to get the tax. So you. You let. You know. But this has been a thing with them. This has been a thing with Memphis. They've been doing it over and over again. They had a team where it seemed like they had a chance. They let DE Anthony Melton. They sent DE Anthony Melton away to Philly. They let Kyle Anderson walk right now you fast forward. It's bane. So this is a thing for them. I think they're a team that don't want to get to the tax, and they make moves based on that. That's where I think this leaves Memphis.
Stephen Curry
All right. You know, there's been also, I would say a lot of sayings or a lot of chatter about Memphis players being reluctant to play in Memphis because it's a dangerous place to live. Do you think that also adds to it? I think Memphis is a great place. I think that we should be one trying to uplift and highlight, like, all the positive things. And so when you hear statements like that from people like, they don't necessarily be tapped in, right? And I don't like statements like that because it undermines, you know, the goodness, the positivity, the true essence of, you know, a city that needs to be uplifted. You watching First 48 and shit like that, and then you making assessments off that. That's television. That's entertain, right? We talking about people who blood, sweat and tears, you know, come to support, you know, the Grizzlies, right? Talking about people who, you know, support kids and Memphis basketball on all levels. The work, you know, Penny doing. So you can't. You can't. It's just buster comments to me, you.
Draymond Green
Know, I got a lot of love for the city of Memphis. I got people from Memphis, too. People from Memphis has always shown me love. Even they staff when we in they building, they show love. Everybody in Memphis has always shown love. So. And I was about to go to Memphis two years ago, so I wholeheartedly disagree, because the last thing that was on my mind was, this is a dangerous place to live. I can't go. Every city in the world has a dangerous park. Every city in the world has a dangerous part to it. So I'm not gonna sit here and single out that city and be like, yo, a player can't go to that city because it's too dangerous. Come on, man.
Stephen Curry
That's a wild.
Draymond Green
There's a dangerous part of Los Angeles. There's a dangerous part of Detroit. There's a dangerous part of Miami. There's a dangerous part of New York. There's a dangerous part of Dallas, There's a dangerous part of Houston, There's a dangerous part of Indianapolis, there's a dangerous part of Charlotte.
Stephen Curry
You name it.
Draymond Green
There's a dangerous part of every city. So to single off that city, that franchise, and try to make it like nobody want to go there, because that place is dangerous, don't do that to that city. I disagree with that wholeheartedly. Like I said, I was about to go there two years ago, and the last thing that was on my mind was, I'm not going to go play at the with that team because that's dangerous.
Stephen Curry
This is food. This is who we're here to play.
Draymond Green
Basketball, raise our family. Come on, man.
Stephen Curry
And be great, great pillars in the community, man.
Draymond Green
How can I help that? Stop it, man.
Stephen Curry
That's. We should have caught that one. Buzz off. Or something like that. The Volume.
Kevin Durant
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Draymond Green
This is an iHeart podcast.
Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: The Draymond Green Show w/Baron Davis - BEST OF JUNE: Durant to Rockets, Jordan Poole trade, Warriors future
Release Date: July 4, 2025
Hosts: Draymond Green and Stephen Curry
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
[00:14 - 01:18]
Draymond Green kicks off the discussion by addressing the Golden State Warriors' offseason strategies. Emphasizing the acquisition of Jimmy as a pivotal move, Green explains how this addition allows the team to build around his playing style and strengths. He highlights the challenges of free agency, noting that "free agency is tough, man" ([00:20] Green). He believes the Warriors are in a better position this year compared to the last, focusing on understanding their current roster and identifying areas for improvement.
Stephen Curry echoes Green's sentiments, stressing the importance of financial flexibility and young talent:
“You’ve got some money to play around with. You’ve got some young talent that isn’t taking up a lot of the salary cap.” ([01:18] Curry)
[01:43 - 02:51]
The conversation shifts to team dynamics and the importance of maintaining stability within the roster. Draymond humorously addresses team jargon and personal anecdotes, showcasing the camaraderie between the hosts. They touch upon maintaining personal styles, with Curry mentioning his preference for his natural curls and Green suggesting unconventional solutions like traveling to Turkey for hair care ([02:12 - 03:12]).
[03:25 - 05:26]
Reflecting on the recent season, Green shares his overall positive outlook despite challenges. He emphasizes the importance of health and growth, stating, “I came out of this season feeling better than I did three years ago” ([05:26] Green). They discuss memorable moments, including game highlights and playoff performances, with both agreeing that playoff plays carry more weight than regular-season games.
[05:32 - 09:04]
The hosts address the impact of key injuries on the team's performance. Green expresses empathy for Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injury, acknowledging the difficulty of playing without top-tier talent:
“You’re not winning without your best player in this league.” ([07:04] Green)
Curry shares his emotional response to witnessing a teammate's injury during a crucial game, highlighting the heartbreak and resilience required in professional sports.
[23:28 - 30:09]
A significant portion of the discussion centers around Kevin Durant's blockbuster trade from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets. Green analyzes the trade dynamics, detailing the Rockets' return: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the number 10 pick in the NBA draft, and five second-round picks.
Green asserts, “Anytime you can add a Kevin Durant, it's an upgrade.” ([27:25] Green) He breaks down how Durant's addition enhances the Rockets' efficiency and leadership both offensively and defensively. The conversation delves into Durant's compatibility with the Rockets' existing roster and his potential to elevate the team's championship prospects.
[30:09 - 37:18]
The podcast shifts focus to the trade involving Jordan Poole moving from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum, Sadiq Bay, and the 40th overall pick in the second round.
Green discusses the strategic moves by both teams:
For the Pelicans: Acquiring Poole aims to infuse young talent and dynamic scoring into a team recovering from injuries.
“They wanted to see if he can still make it work with next to the Zions...” ([30:41] Green)
For the Wizards: Bringing in McCollum provides veteran leadership and consistency, essential for guiding young players.
“CJ McCollum is what the Wizards need. You need some veteran leadership.” ([32:37] Green)
Curry adds that balancing youth with experience is crucial, noting that teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder have successfully integrated veteran players to mentor rising stars.
[38:00 - 44:37]
The discussion moves to the Memphis Grizzlies' recent trade of Desmond Bane to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anthony Simons and additional first-round picks. Green critiques the magnitude of the trade, questioning the rationale behind sacrificing multiple high-value picks for a single player:
“Four unprotected first-round picks in a pick swap. That's a lot.” ([49:09] Green)
He speculates that the Grizzlies are prioritizing salary cap considerations over immediate competitive success, indicating a long-term rebuilding strategy. The hosts touch upon the broader implications of such trades, including the concept of the "second apron"—a hard cap designed to prevent teams from overspending and to promote competitive balance.
[44:55 - 57:48]
A noteworthy segment addresses rumors about Memphis being a "dangerous place to live," which purportedly affects player willingness to join the Grizzlies. Green vehemently disagrees with these claims, advocating for a positive portrayal of Memphis:
“I think Memphis is a great place. I think we should be trying to uplift and highlight the positive things.” ([56:15] Green)
He counters the stereotype by emphasizing the universal presence of dangerous areas in all major cities, asserting that sports figures should focus on community building and positive influences rather than perpetuating negative narratives.
[37:18 - 45:55]
The hosts delve into the intricacies of the NBA Draft, discussing how the context of a player's drafting team and system can significantly impact their development. Curry shares personal experiences about being the third pick and the importance of being in the right environment for growth:
“The draft for me, it was incredible... I went to a good team. I went to a vet team, a playoff team.” ([35:15] Curry)
Green reflects on his own draft experience, highlighting the disappointment of being selected 35th but recognizing the importance of perseverance and proving oneself on the court:
“One guy may get an opportunity faster, but tomorrow, everybody’s on an equal playing field.” ([38:48] Green)
[54:55 - 58:55]
In concluding segments, Green and Curry discuss broader NBA trends, such as the balance between youth and veteran leadership, and the ongoing challenges posed by the league's salary cap regulations. They express cautious optimism about the future, anticipating more strategic trades and team adjustments aimed at fostering competitive balance.
Curry humorously notes the challenges of predicting free agency moves, while Green underscores the relentless nature of the NBA's business side:
“Free agency hasn’t even started, and you’re giving a sleeper team? That’s ridiculous.” ([42:10] Green)
Draymond Green:
“Free agency is tough, man.” ([00:20])
“Anytime you can add a Kevin Durant, it's an upgrade.” ([27:25])
“I think there should be some type of guideline to be upheld.” ([13:27])
Stephen Curry:
“You’ve got some money to play around with.” ([01:18])
“The draft is whatever team you go to, what system, it doesn’t matter where you go.” ([35:15])
This episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" provides an in-depth analysis of recent NBA developments, focusing on significant trades, team strategies, and the evolving landscape of professional basketball. Draymond Green and Stephen Curry offer valuable insights into the complexities of team building, the impact of player movements, and the importance of balancing youth with experience to achieve long-term success. Their candid conversation highlights both the challenges and opportunities facing NBA teams as they navigate the competitive and financial intricacies of the league.
Note: Advertisements and sponsor segments were omitted to focus solely on the podcast's content.