Stephen A.: Draymond ‘not opposed' to joining LeBron in future

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In the wake of a shocking physical altercation involving Draymond Green and Jordan Poole at Warriors practice Thursday, many have begun to speculate about Green's future with the team. 

On Friday's episode of "NBA Countdown,"  ESPN's Stephen A. Smith discussed the incident and explained why the veteran forward's future with the team is not as secure as it once was. 

"I don't think it's shaky, but I don't think it is as secure as it used to be, but it's not because of incidents like this, these kinds of things happen ...the shaky ground stems from this reality," Smith said. "Over the last four years, Draymond Green has averaged less than double digits in points and rebounds and he shot less than 30 percent from 3-point range. He's 32, he's going to be 33 years of age in March and the Golden State Warriors are loaded, so you know what this is about."

Green is under contract with Golden State for this upcoming season and has a player option for the 2023-24 NBA season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024. The 10-year NBA veteran was seeking an extension with the Warriors over the summer but there never was much traction and Green appears ready to bet on himself this season.

Smith believes that Green's contract is playing a role in any shaky relationship he might have with the team.

"In the end what this comes down to is any kind of shaky ground he's on is because he's getting paid $25 million, he's got a player option next year for $27 million," Smith explained. "You're the Golden State Warriors you know he's looking for big-time dollars for a lengthy extension and you're going to ask yourself, 'What is he capable of at age 34, 35, 36, etc.' That's how they're going to look at him and look at the personnel.

"So what he's got to do, that feistiness he showed towards Jordan Poole, he has to show it towards the opposition and he has to up his play offensively to remind the Golden State Warriors of how valuable he can be. Because we already know what he is defensively."

There have been rumblings that Green wouldn't be shy about leaving the Warriors in the near future and if he were to do so, Smith believes the former Defensive Player of the Year should link up with good friend and fellow Klutch Sports client LeBron James. 

"Opt out, take a two-year deal," Smith added. "Go to the Lakers and join LeBron. He wouldn't be averse to that. Trust me. Trust me."

RELATED: Draymond's punch to Poole has layers of issues for Warriors

Prior to the video of Green and Poole's scuffle leaking Friday morning, Warriors general manager Bob Myers stated that Green likely will not be suspended for any games as the team's internal investigation continues. 

Whether or not the Warriors hand down a stricter punishment remains to be seen, but if they do, there's a chance it could impact Green's relationship with the team. 

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