The Warriors are revamping their roster after missing the playoffs this past season, watching both Klay Thompson and Chris Paul leave in free agency, but their core duo of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green remains intact for at least one more year.
Naturally, it didn't take long for Green to speak out about the busy start to Golden State's offseason, with the veteran sharing heartfelt comments about Thompson's exit after the two played 12 seasons together.
"I don't really know how I feel about it," Green said Tuesday on his podcast , adding that regardless of basketball, the relationship between him and Thompson is "forever."
Green revealed that he heard from Thompson directly last week that a reunion wasn't in the cards, with Thompson reminiscing about his 13 seasons with the Warriors.
"This one hits much deeper" than every other time a teammate left, Green said. "Like way more close to home because in a sense it disrupts home."
MORE: Why Klay Thompson left the Warriors
Green said he didn't try to convince Thompson to change his mind, explaining that he saw his longtime teammate struggle to enjoy basketball this past season. "It brought sadness, it brought unhappiness last year for him," Green said, adding that a part of him wanted Thompson to get a fresh start elsewhere for that reason.
"Breakups don't always have to be messy," Green said, explaining that he hopes everyone in the Warriors organization maintains a high level of respect for Thompson.
Meanwhile, Green admitted he almost had a similar moment a year ago after a tough 2022-23 season. The former Defensive Player of the Year said he nearly left the Warriors for the Grizzlies, even telling Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry and Thompson to inform them. Green agreed to a new contract with Golden State just minutes into free agency, so it's unclear how serious the threat was.
Green also discussed the Warriors' unsuccessful pursuit of 76ers addition Paul George, describing himself "as a little salty" the All-Star didn't land with Golden State and putting the blame squarely on the Clippers.
"As you all know, Paul George was going to come to the Warriors. And we wanted Paul George to come the Warriors," Green said.
Green blasted the Clippers for a lack of loyalty to George, claiming George "wanted" to play for the Warriors but Los Angeles' lack of willingness to complete a sign-and-trade prevented the move. Golden State didn't have a path to acquiring George without a sign-and-trade due to salary cap constraints.
"For us to get Paul George, it would have taken a sign-and-trade, and the Clippers didn't really want to play ball, didn't really want to help him get to where he wanted to go ... most of these organizations ain't loyal," Green said.
MORE: Free agency grades for all 30 NBA teams
The Warriors responded by signing De'Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson, with a potential sign-and-trade for Buddy Hield in the works. Curry and Green figure to have plenty of depth on the roster next season, but whether there is enough star power left to break through in a crowded Western Conference is a mystery.
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