The Golden State Warriors remain grounded thanks to their veteran core, and one of their most enduring leaders is Draymond Green. A NBA franchise icon in his own right, Green’s legacy in Golden State is already secure—but does that make him a lock for the Basketball Hall of Fame?
Green has never held back when it comes to voicing his opinions, and he’s once again reinforcing his belief that a Hall of Fame nod is not a matter of if, but when. While his career averages—8.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game—don’t scream traditional greatness, Green insists that the numbers alone don’t define his case.
“I think I’ll and I hope I’ll be in the Hall of Fame,” Green recently said. “But my route won’t be the typical route. You won’t go and look at my stats and say, ‘This guy’s a surefire Hall of Famer.’ But if you know the game, then I think I have a case.”
And the case is compelling. Green is a four-time NBA champion, a four-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection, and the 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He’s also earned nine All-Defensive selections—five of those First-Team—and led the league in steals in 2017. More importantly, he has been a cornerstone of one of the greatest dynasties the league has ever seen.
While Stephen Curry redefined the game with his limitless shooting and Klay Thompson’s hot hands broke records, Green was the glue guy. He served as Golden State’s defensive anchor, emotional leader, and the cerebral engine that kept their high-paced system running smoothly.
Green is a symbol of the evolution of modern basketball. His ability to guard all five positions and quarterback the defense revolutionized how teams approach small-ball lineups. On offense, his IQ and passing vision as a point-forward gave the Warriors a secondary playmaker, especially vital when opponents keyed in on Curry and Thompson.
His role in reshaping the way basketball is played cannot be overstated. Green helped usher in an era where versatility, communication, and intelligence are as vital as raw numbers. That intangible impact is often missed in the box score—but not by those who understand the game’s nuances.
Green’s basketball IQ is elite. He’s widely considered one of the smartest defenders of his NBA generation, with a rare ability to read and react to plays before they even unfold. Whether or not he ends up in Springfield, his impact on the game—and on the Warriors—has already made him a legend.