Literally just days before the 2022-23 NBA season began, the Golden State Warriors were in total disarray.
This was because a leaked video showed Draymond Green punching teammate Jordan Poole during a practice session, which immediately received serious backlash from fans, analysts, and practically everyone throughout the league.
Green was briefly suspended by the team but was able to suit up for the opening night game.
There has been a lot of speculation about the punch, the video, and who leaked it.
Is the Warriors' front office exposed?
Gilbert Arinas claims it was purposeful to leak the video!@Agentzeroshow @warriors #NBA #DubNation #WarriorsFeontOffice #GilbertArenas pic.twitter.com/43wwzzR9tO— FirstSportz NBA (@FS_NBA1) January 6, 2023
Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas proposed that it was none other than the Warriors’ front office that leaked that tape.
He said that this was done so that Green’s potential contract would be less expensive for them.
Sure enough, the team and Green have a big choice to make in the upcoming offseason: will Green remain suited up for the Warriors or will he try to play out the rest of his career with another NBA team?
Green has a player option after this season and made it clear a few months ago that he wants to be given a maximum contract extension from the Warriors.
That was a long shot before Green punched his teammate and now those chances are even slimmer.
Is there a possibility that the Warriors leaked the video so that Green wouldn’t be able to garner as much on the market and remain in the Bay Area for a manageable price point?
No one will ever really know, of course, but two things are clear: Green has actually been playing quite well this season and his trade value has still never been lower.
NEXT: Draymond Green Explains The Up And Down Season For Warriors