Draymond Green on Paul George to Warriors' rumors: Clippers didn't want PG to come here

NBA Central: Draymond Green admits he almost signed with Memphis last year “I called Klay and I called Steph on separate calls, and Steve, and I was just telling them like, ‘Yo, I’m leaving. I’m going to Memphis.’” (🎥 @TheVolumeSports / h/t @KevonLooneyMuse ) pic.twitter.com/DnYCn1CbKc -via Twitter @TheNBACentral / July 2, 2024

The Volume: “I think I might have dropped a couple tears” — @Money23Green reacts to Klay Thompson going to Dallas -via Twitter @TheVolumeSports / July 2, 2024

95.7 The Game: “I think Klay Thompson might’ve been bothered more by Draymond Green’s deal [than Wiggins or Poole]… Draymond admitted he ruined a season and got paid. I could see Klay feeling a certain way about that.” – @Monte Poole via @SteinyGuru957 . 🎧 http://go.audacy.com/UC3kRE5CUKb -via Twitter / July 2, 2024

Ivica Zubac on Paul George leaving for the Sixers: “That’s a great friend. We played together for 5 seasons. It’s definitely tough seeing him leave. He was a big piece. It’s gonna be hard to replicate for us, he did so much, but there’s a business side [to basketball]. Unfortunately, that was the best decision for him, we’re gonna miss him a lot, but we signed some new guys. We got to work with what we have already and I’m sure we’re gonna have a great season.” (via @amerikanos24 ) -via Twitter / July 2, 2024

Leonard and George had talked generally about signing new contracts with the team and extending their partnership. But they’d never talked specifics, sources said, like taking a year and approximately $70 million less than they were eligible to receive. Furthermore, the Clippers’ discussions with George were for less than they’d guaranteed Leonard, sources said. George and Leonard remained close throughout the season. At one point this week, George even called Leonard to tell him he was looking at other teams, sources said. But George’s market was different from Leonard’s. He had opportunities for four-year, maximum extensions elsewhere. And the Clippers stood firm in only offering three years at less than the maximum to preserve their optionality, leaving George disappointed, sources said. -via ESPN / July 2, 2024

In the meantime, some 400 miles north, a major threat was looming. With the Warriors failing to even make the playoffs last season despite paying the most expensive roster in the league, and with veterans Klay Thompson and Chris Paul uncertain to return, Golden State turned to the biggest star on the market. The franchise engaged in a spirited effort to trade for George ahead of Saturday’s deadline for him to pick up or turn down his $48 million player option for next season. While the talks were ongoing, sources said George entertained the notion of joining Curry and the Warriors, so the Clippers had a chance to get some value in return for him. -via ESPN / July 2, 2024