Warriors star Draymond Green makes surprising confession about his relationship with LeBron James

Draymond Green and LeBron James have never played on the same NBA team. However, their relationship has evolved over time. They met each other several times in NBA All-Star Games and playoff battles. At first, there was barely any interaction between them. Over the years, though, that began to change. As they started building a friendship. Now, Green has opened up about that shift. In a recent podcast episode, he made a surprising confession about his relationship with LeBron James.

“I hated LeBron. We had no relationship at all. I had a relationship with Mav [Maverick Carter] and Rich [Paul]…Me being around Rich and Mav, me and Bron naturally ended up being around each other more… and then we started to build our relationship because I realized, ‘Dang, bro really just like me. He use the same lingo I use, he’s from a place just like me,’ and we started to build from there. But it started off hectic,” stated Draymond Green on BARS Podcast.

At one point, the rivalry felt inevitable. From 2015 to 2018, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors dominated headlines, battling for NBA supremacy and building what many viewed as an intense feud. But over time, the tension gave way to mutual respect and even friendship. Even, Draymond Green calls LeBron as his ‘big brother’ stating that he loves him to death.

Draymond Green reveals the key advice LeBron James gave him about his NBA future

Draymond Green is one of the most iconic players in Golden State Warriors history. He has spent 13 years with the franchise and played 879 NBA games. During that time, he averaged 8.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. His offensive numbers are modest, but that’s never been his main role. Green became the heart of the Warriors’ defense and a vocal leader on and off the court. His presence has been crucial to the team’s identity and success.

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors watch as a Warriors player shoots a free throw in the first quarter of their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena at T-Mobile Arena on October 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 111-97.

However, his time with the Warriors nearly came to an end. At one point, Green seriously considered leaving the franchise. That’s when LeBron James stepped in. A key conversation between them shifted Green’s perspective. Thanks to that moment, everything changed and Draymond chose to stay.

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Draymond Green had the chance to leave Golden State. Memphis offered him a three-year deal worth $105 million. The Warriors, on the other hand, put a four-year, $100 million contract on the table. Although the tax difference was significant, Green chose to stay. He explained the decision during an episode of The Warner House.

According to him, LeBron James played a key role. James advised him to remain in Golden State because he had built something special there. In his words, it was not worth giving up everything he had created with the Warriors.