Draymond Green names the one thing he would change about the NBA as commissioner

Draymond Green names the one thing he would change about the NBA as commissioner originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green is in the midst of a Hall of Fame career and is set to play a big role for the Warriors this season. But nothing lasts forever, and it is almost time for him to think about his post-basketball life.

Green could have an option once he retires, as he has said in the past that he would like to eventually become NBA commissioner, a position currently held by Adam Silver.

Speaking to CNBC Sport’s Alex Sherman, Green was asked what he would change as commissioner and his answer suggested that the league’s current state isn’t working.

“The salary structure,” Green told Sherman. “Ultimately, the salary structure has changed a lot of teams. I think it’s changed the NBA. We’ve always heard the word parity thrown around. Over the last six years, there’s been six different champions. That hasn’t had the benefit of having dynasties. All fans love to see dynasties; even the fans that hate to see dynasties, they really tune in for the dynasties and we’re not getting that anymore due to salary structure.

“That’s what I would change because ultimately, it’s a reason why Michael Jordan dominated for a period, the Spurs dominated for a period, LeBron dominated for a period. [The Golden State Warriors] dominated for a period. Now, it’s all over the place, and I don’t love that. As a basketball fan, I don’t love that.”

The Warriors’ dynastic run began during the 2014-15 season and netted four NBA championships through the 2021-22 season. During that time, NBA competition wasn’t as strong, with the Warriors dominating the Western Conference by a large margin.

Sherman noted that Silver recently told him that the NBA has data stating fans want parity. But when it was suggested the commissioner could be twisting the data, Green defended Silver while also emphasizing that basketball fans don’t love parity.

“I never think he’s twisting the data,” Green told Sherman. “When speaking of Commissioner Silver, I think he’s the best commissioner out there when you’re talking about all the major sports leagues. I don’t think he’s necessarily twisting the data. But, as you and I both know, data isn’t everybody’s opinion. It’s a subset of people, and then we take that and say, oh well, if you divide that by this many people, then that’s what you get.

“Or you add that in this amount of people, that’s what you get. I don’t think he’s twisting the data, but I will tell you as a basketball fan, and I’m always around a lot of basketball fans, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s loved.”

Green is not ready to retire yet and is focused on playing at a high level this season so he can help Golden State achieve its goals. But when he retires, don’t be surprised if he starts impacting the game of basketball in other ways.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast