Draymond Green is back on the same subject he has been hammering for two years: who should really be taking less money in the NBA.
This time, the conversation centers on Victor Wembanyama’s new five-year, $252 million extension with the Spurs, a deal that includes an estimated $51 million discount. Green brought that up on a recent episode of his podcast and tied it to Jalen Brunson’s decision with the Knicks, drawing a line between two stars on different teams and in different moments.
“The New York Knicks go and win a championship,” Green said. “And when they win that championship, the superstar of the team they beat, one of the premier faces of the NBA today, Victor Wembanyama, then goes and takes less.”
Green’s argument is that examples like Brunson’s make it easier for teams to sell their stars on accepting less. He also pointed to Tim Duncan as part of the pitch San Antonio could use.
“Easier to sell that guy on taking less when the guy he just lost to in the Finals took less. So this thing starts to trigger all around. Now granted, Wemby’s in San Antonio, so what’s also going to be sold to him is: ‘Tim Duncan and they took less, you do this so we can win,’” he added.
He went a step further in summing up what he sees happening around the league: "So you see the trickle-down effect of it," Green said. "Everybody's taking less. Everybody."
Green’s broader point has stayed consistent. He believes the burden of sacrifice should fall on role players, not the stars who anchor franchises, especially as teams try to manage the league’s luxury tax and second apron penalties.
Wembanyama explained his own choice as a move for the team’s future, not just his own payday.
"We have a good team, we had a very good playoff run, and we had a very good regular season," Wembanyama said. "But what's even better and greater is our potential."
“The reality of today’s NBA is that often, the potential of teams is not fulfilled because of money. I just want to make sure it’s never our case,” he added.
And while Green is focused on sacrifice, his own side of the league is moving too. Golden State, San Antonio’s Western Conference rival, has been linked this summer to a $73 million free agent to pair with Steph Curry.
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