The Warriors are seeing Green once again.
The Dubs’ signing of free agent forward JaMychal Green to contract on Monday turned longtime opponents into teammates. Green and Warriors do-it-all forward Draymond Green have been playing against each other for years, most recently in the 2022 NBA Playoffs when the Dubs took down a Nuggets team that included JaMychal in the first round. But the Greens’ (not related) head-to-head days go further back, dating back to eighth grade when they met through the AAU basketball circuit. As the young players developed their talent and skill, they stayed in touch and remain friends to this day.
“I feel like just off the relationship that we built when we were younger, it's a respect thing for each other. We kind of know where we stand,” JaMychal said regarding Draymond in his introductory press conference.
“He was just excited. We both know what we bring to the table and we just had a good conversation about it. He made it easy for me to come here."
Warriors Talk: JaMychal Green Introductory Press Conference
In many ways, the Dubs’ veteran point-forward has set an exemplary framework of the grit and toughness required on a championship team.
"Just come in and play hard," JaMychal Green shared on his mentality joining the Warriors. "Be a dog. Do the dirty work—help Draymond out with the dirty work. Knock down shots and play defense. I feel like if you come here and handle your business, you set yourself up for life.”
When speaking with media, Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr also added how he envisions the Green-Green duo playing together, “He (JaMychal) is capable of sort of playing either role, the four or the five. If he’s playing with Draymond, he can stretch the floor and can guard the five, while Draymond guards the four. He (JaMychal) gives us frontcourt flexibility.”
"Coming here, you can't settle, get satisfied or anything," (JaMychal) Green shared. "You’re constantly working here and getting better. That's something I need to be around. Be around types of players that won championships that have that leadership…I look forward to playing with those guys.”
The Warriors will be JaMychal Green’s fifth NBA club. The eight-year NBA veteran averaged career-highs of 10.3 points and 8.4 rebounds with the Grizzlies during the 2017-18 season, and he played the last two seasons in Denver with other career stops in San Antonio and Los Angeles (Clippers) along the way.