Warriors' Draymond Green 'Definitely Closer' to Considering Coaching After NBA Career
Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green previously resisted the idea of becoming a coach after his playing career is over, but it sounds like he's reconsidered.
While speaking to reporters after the Warriors' 119-97 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night, Green admitted that he's more open to the thought of coaching then ever before.
"As I get closer to the end, I think a little bit more about it and I'm definitely closer than I was a couple years ago," Green said, per The Athletic's Nick Friedell. "If you would have asked me two years ago, I would have told you, 'Hell no.' But as you get closer to the end, you start to think, 'Oh man, what is it that I really want to do?' And I don't know that it will — it's not an absolute no anymore for me."
Green is in his 14th NBA season, and the longstanding theory is that he would assume a television role once his playing career comes to an end. The 35-year-old has already been a frequent guest analyst for TNT Sports, and he also hosts his own podcast, The Draymond Green Show.
Green went on to explain that his stance on coaching in the future changed with age.
"Once you start to learn more about it and dig deeper into it, as you get older you get closer to the coaching staff, you start to see more," he said. "So I'm not gonna sit here and tell you, 'Yes, I'm gonna coach when I'm done.' But I won't tell you no anymore."
A four-time NBA champion and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Green added that he's enjoyed imparting his knowledge on some of the Warriors' younger players, and he could see himself continuing with a mentorship role.
"I love giving advice to young guys," Green said. "Any young guy that will listen, I'll speak to (former NBA player and assistant coach) Pete Myers (who) told me a long time ago, 'You owe it to the game to leave it in a better place than it was when you found it.' And I always try to do that."
Green also received a ringing endorsement from one of his star teammates.
"I think Draymond would be great as a coach," Warriors forward Jimmy Butler said. "His basketball mind is out of this world, actually. He sees all the plays before they happen. He's always studying the game and he wants everybody to be great, so I actually really do believe he'd be a phenomenal coach."
Green isn't heading to the sidelines anytime soon, so for now, he will focus on trying to help the Warriors (22-19) earn a second straight win when they meet the New York Knicks (25-14) on Wednesday night.
