Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green were spotted hanging out together in France over the weekend. The NBA veterans donned bucket hats and sunglasses as they ate a meal and chatted with restaurateur Sammy Sass.
On Monday, Green turned down his $27.5 million player option with the Warriors for the 2023-24 season. So, now he is an unrestricted free agent. The two-time All-NBA member signed a four-year, $99.67 million extension with Golden State in 2019.
According to multiple reports, Green is seeking a three-year extension with the Warriors. Although, if he wants a change of scenery while residing on the West Coast, signing a deal with Los Angeles is a likely option.
At a few NBA betting sites, the Lakers hold the sixth shortest odds of winning a championship next season in 2024. Some sportsbooks show better odds with the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns Warriors.
Are LeBron James and Draymond Green poised to join the Lakers? In January, Green said, “Michael Jordan hasn’t beaten the greatest team ever assembled, nor has he ever faced the greatest team ever assembled. … My hat off to LeBron.”
“For what he’s done, for what he’s doing, on and off the court, there’s never been a better face than the NBA, and I’m not sure there will ever be a better face than the NBA.”
In the most recent season, barring the possibility of re-signing with Golden State, Green listed the Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons as his favorite teams.
LeBron James and Draymond Green were spotted hanging out together in France over the weekend; Will Green sign a multi-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers?
This past August, James signed a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the Lakers. He is expected to earn $53,369,986 in the 2023-24 season. The 19-year-old veteran averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 35.5 minutes per game in 55 games with Los Angeles this past season.
Moreover, LeBron James (38,652 points) became the league’s all-time leading scorer, breaking the record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) that stood for 39 years. James is tied with Jason Kidd for fourth in most triples with 107.
In Game 4 of the Lakers’ first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies, the four-time MVP scored 22 points, a career-high 20 rebounds, and seven assists in the 117–111 overtime win.
Just as importantly, this was James’ first 20-20 game in his entire career. The 19-time All-NBA member became the first Laker with a 20-20 record in a postseason game since Shaquille O’Neal in Game 4 of the 2004 NBA Finals.
Do you think Draymond Green will be a good fit for the Lakers next season? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Ku5Uu65CLZ
– theScore (@theScore) June 20, 2023
Additionally, in 73 starts with Golden State in the 2022-23 regular season, Green averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 boards, 6.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 31.5 minutes per game. Of course, the four-time All-Star hit a career-best 52.7% from the floor and 30.5% outside the arc as well.
Furthermore, in 12 games in the 2023 NBA, Green averaged 9.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 30.6 minutes per game. The eight-time All-Defensive member finished shooting 46.2% from the field and 72.7% at the foul line.
LeBron James and Draymond Green are aiming for their fifth NBA championship. The idea of that happening with the Lakers seems unlikely. However, a lot can change over the course of the vacation period. Free agency begins June 30th.