While Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have gotten most of the attention, Golden State's biggest surprise of the 2014-15 season might be the ascendance of Draymond Green. While Green initially moved into a starting role thanks to David Lee's injury, his superb play hasn't given Lee - now healthy - any shot of reclaiming a spot in the starting lineup.
Green is averaging 11.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 31.7 minutes per game, and his physical, tenacious defense has made a serious impression on his teammates and coaching staff.
In an interview with KNBR, Warriors HC Steve Kerr was asked about Green's future, and Kerr didn't mince his words about wanting to have Green around for a while:
"Draymond's going to be part of this franchise for the next eight, 10 years." Kerr said.
Green is currently in year three of a four-year deal that pays him under $1 million for the 2014-15 season. He's due a qualifying offer of $1,148,163 for 2015-16. With Green's stellar play, it might be the biggest bargain in the league.
When that deal is up, though, the Warriors won't have an easy time holding on to the Michigan State product - Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are both on significant contracts, and the team has several other key players with deals due to expire in the next few years. Kerr's comments don't guarantee that Green sticks around - that decision will ultimately be his, not Kerr's - but it's a very encouraging sign that the team understands Green's rapidly-growing value.
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