Draymond Green isn’t ready to call it a career just yet - not even close. The Warriors forward, now in his 12th NBA season, says he’s feeling better than he expected at this stage, and he’s eyeing another two to four years of high-level basketball.
“I feel great,” Green said in a recent interview. “I feel like I can go another two to four years.
I always want to compete at an elite level. If I can’t do that, then it’s not as fun.
But I’ve got more left than I thought I would at this point.”
That’s a telling admission from one of the league’s most intense competitors. Green, who’s never been shy about his physical style or his basketball IQ, expected to be wearing down by now. Instead, he says Year 12 felt like another step forward.
And while trade rumors swirled around the deadline, Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy made it clear he wasn’t actively shopping Green. That’s notable, especially with Green holding a $27.7 million player option for next season. He’ll have until June 29 to make a decision on that, and given his current mindset, it sounds like he’s leaning toward running it back.
Around the Pacific Division:
In Sacramento, frustration is boiling over - and understandably so. The Kings dropped their 13th straight game in a blowout loss at home to New Orleans, and veteran forward DeMar DeRozan let his emotions show. During a third-quarter timeout, DeRozan slammed a water bottle to the floor - a rare outburst from one of the league’s most composed vets.
Head coach Doug Christie wasn’t upset. In fact, he got it.
“Totally,” Christie said. “I went down and sat with him for a second just to talk to him. His frustration is more about ending the skid, and also after being so close that it could go either way in so many games, this is the first time in a minute where we had this kind of result where we weren’t really in a game.”
Christie emphasized that DeRozan’s frustration came from a good place - wanting to play the right way, keep the offense moving, and stay competitive. “Deebo is a consummate professional,” Christie added. No one in that locker room is questioning DeRozan’s leadership - but the losing streak is clearly taking its toll.
Lakers Reward Bufkin’s G League Grind
Kobe Bufkin is getting his shot. After impressing with the South Bay Lakers, the former Hawks guard has earned a standard contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s a two-year deal, and for Bufkin, it’s a full-circle moment.
“Even dating back to draft night, I had conversations with the Lakers,” Bufkin said. “Ended up going to the Hawks, ultimately, but they’ve always shown interest, always showed love - (GM Rob Pelinka) specifically.”
Bufkin’s path hasn’t been linear, but his play in the G League turned heads. Now, he’s got a chance to carve out a role on a Lakers team that’s always looking for young energy and backcourt depth.
Jalen Green Still Working His Way Back
Over in Phoenix, Jalen Green is still trying to find his rhythm - and his confidence - after a season riddled with hamstring issues. Saturday marked just his sixth game of the year, and while he logged 17 minutes and scored eight points in a loss to Philadelphia, he’s still not quite himself.
“There’s still some trust factor in trusting everything,” Green admitted. “But that’s going to come with time. Playing and being unconscious and forgetting about injuries.”
That’s a familiar hurdle for any player coming off a lingering soft-tissue injury. The Suns are hoping that with time - and reps - Green can get back to the explosive, instinctive player they envisioned. For now, it’s about patience, both from Green and the organization.
From Draymond’s veteran confidence to DeRozan’s visible frustration, and from Bufkin’s rise to Green’s recovery, the Pacific Division is buzzing - even in February. The storylines are shifting, but one thing remains constant: every player’s fighting for something, whether it’s legacy, stability, or just the next game.