One Warriors rival could be worth watching in Draymond Green pursuit

Draymond Green is a free agent and wants to remain with the Golden State Warriors. But if the team does not pony up the cash he is looking for, a very interesting team could be waiting to make a run at the veteran.

While talking on "The Hoop Collective NBA Draft Show" on Thursday, NBA insider Brian Windhorst presented the case for how and why the Sacramento Kings might have interest in Green.

Windhorst shared that current Kings head coach Mike Brown, a former Warriors assistant coach, has an excellent relationship with Green. He described Brown as a “Draymond Green whisperer” with Golden State. Windhorst also pointed out that the Kings need a defensive-focused player who can set the tone on that side of the ball. He additionally noted that the Kings have the salary-cap space to make a run at Green if they want to do so.

“They now have the money — if they want — to give him a premium over what he opted out of at Golden State,” Windhorst said. “The Kings can now go hunting for Draymond Green if they wish … With this cap space, they could blow Golden State out of the water.”

Sacramento is coming off their best season since 2005. They went 48-34 in the regular season before losing to the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. De’Aaron Fox, and to a lesser extent Kevin Huerter, represent the Kings' only significant long-term financial commitments on the roster, so they have the means to sign Green if they want.

The Warriors just traded Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards for Chris Paul, getting rid of a player with whom Green had a negative relationship. That might increase Golden State’s chances of keeping Green happy.

But as Green pointed out via social media on Friday, it will come down to money and the Warriors will have to step up in that regard.

Here is a clip of Windhorst’s full comments: