Draymond Green and LeBron James, two of the NBA’s most electrifying figures, weren’t always the chummy pals you see today.
Their rivalry during the Golden State Warriors‘ epic clashes with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018 was nothing short of legendary.
But while fans were captivated by the on-court drama, there was another tense showdown brewing off the hardwood-one that involved Green and a well-known NBA insider.
The Warriors’ forward, known for his fierce competitiveness and sharp tongue, wasn’t just exchanging jabs with LeBron. He had his sights set on Chris Haynes, a respected NBA insider who, at the time, was new to covering the Warriors.
During a recent appearance on the “Jefe Island” podcast, Haynes spilled the tea on his fiery first encounter with Green, and it’s a story that has everyone talking.
According to Haynes, as soon as he stepped into the Warriors’ locker room, Green was on high alert. “Draymond looked at me and said, ‘I don’t trust you, bro,'” Haynes recalled.
The reason? Green was convinced that Haynes was a “Cavs spy,” sent by LeBron himself to gather intel on the Warriors. The accusation wasn’t made in a playful tone either-Green was dead serious. He even went as far as to instruct the entire team to avoid speaking to Haynes, effectively freezing him out.
For Haynes, the accusation was both shocking and surreal. He tried to reassure Green, insisting that he was just a reporter with no allegiance to any team, but Green wasn’t having it.
The tension between the two was palpable, adding another layer of intrigue to the already heated Warriors-Cavs rivalry.
Once bitter rivals, Draymond Green and LeBron James are now good friends
Fast forward to today, and Green and James have seemingly buried the hatchet, forming an unlikely friendship.
They’ve been spotted partying together in Cannes, dancing to hits from Kendrick Lamar and Drake, no less. But while their beef is now water under the bridge, Green recently stirred the pot again by teasing the possibility of a future team-up with LeBron.
During an appearance on the “Point Game” podcast in May 2024, Green hinted that he wouldn’t mind joining forces with James-but only if LeBron was willing to don a Warriors jersey. “Unless Bron comes to Golden State, I don’t really see that happening,” Green said, making it clear where his loyalties lie.
However, that dream scenario won’t be happening anytime soon. LeBron locked in his future with the Lakers this offseason, signing a contract extension that keeps him in Los Angeles.
Had things gone differently, the NBA world might have witnessed one of the most mind-blowing alliances in recent memory.
