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When the Golden State Warriors suspended power forward Draymond Green without pay after he cursed out star small forward Kevin Durant, some around the league believed that was a message by owner Joe Lacob that the team was siding with Durant.
Kevin Durant can become an unrestricted free agent after this season if he declines his 2019-20 player-option with the Warriors, and there is speculation the nine-time All-Star will leave Golden State. The rift between Durant and Draymond Green only added more fuel to the fire that Durant is leaving this summer.
Joe Lacob, however, vehemently denies choosing sides between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green.
“I’ve read and heard all the things people are talking about,” Lacob said, via That we’re choosing one person over another. We’re not choosing anybody over anybody.
“Draymond knows that he went beyond — won’t say what he did, or what he said, or anything like that — he went beyond what we felt appropriate, so it didn’t matter who it was. And he understands that, by the way. I’ve been texting with him, and he totally gets it. I do have a great relationship with him, and I still do.”
Draymond Green has been with the Warriors longer than Kevin Durant. However, Durant is much more vital to Golden State and its future. If Durant leaves and Green stays, the Warriors are obviously still title contenders. But if Durant stays and the Warriors trade Green, Golden State will still remain as the overwhelming favorite to win the championship every season.
Now, that's not to say Green and Durant can't coexist after this season ends, but their relationship is now going to be a frequent talking point throughout the season and playoffs.
