Lacob: Warriors Have Given 'No Real Consideration' to Moving on from Draymond Green

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has dealt with tumult in recent years, but the team never lost faith in him.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob told The Athletic's Tim Kawakami that there was never a point where the team truly considered parting ways with Green:

"We consider everything, and I'm not going to say it didn't cross our minds to ship him out or something, but not really. The truth is, we all understand how important he is to winning. We understand how important he is in terms of his relationship and how he plays with Steph, who is fantastic and at the age of 35 going to be 36, just playing at a remarkable level. They just work together. It's just something we have to ride until it cannot be ridden anymore. Honestly, maybe thought about it for a nanosecond, but no real consideration to moving Draymond."

The Warriors signed Green to a four-year, $100 million contract extension last summer. While speaking to Kawakami, Lacob confirmed a story Green told on his own podcast where he said Lacob told him he couldn't lose control or jeopardize the team with suspensions or other antics anymore. Unfortunately, Green was suspended twice this season for on-court incidents.

"I did say all that," Lacob said of the summer meeting. "'I need you not to let me down, I'm signing you to a big contract here.' So that is all true. And yes, he did let me down. He let a lot of people down. He knows that."

Green's return from his second suspension has helped a recent turnaround for the Warriors. Following Wednesday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State is 7-2 in its last nine games. The team still ranks last in the Pacific Division with a 26-26 record, but Lacob said the recent run of success reduced the need for a splashy move at last week's trade deadline.

"I think the team has found something. I think our coaching staff has found something. … I'm extremely high on what I've seen, we all should be, over the last, what, 11 games or so, 12 games. When Draymond came back, he's changed everything," he said.

While some may feel that Green is a polarizing player, Lacob made it clear that he fully supports the 33-year-old.

"I love Draymond Green," Lacob said. "I'm just going to tell you right now. I know he's done a number of things — the fans, certainly people around the league, the league certainly, have appropriate reason to be mad at him. To be disappointed. He knows that, too. But you know at the end of the day, he's like the brother from another mother for me. I just love him. I've always felt that way. He will retire as a Warrior obviously with his contract. He's our guy."