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🏀 Does Draymond Green Deserve the Max?

🏀 Does Draymond Green Deserve the Max?

Chris Lesiak
October 17, 2022

NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo begins treatment for brain tumor, a look at where Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey might end up, and how Andrew Wiggins & Jordan Poole's contract extensions affect Draymond Green.

Start your week off strong!

DIKEMBE MUTOMBO

NBA Hall Of Famer Dikembe Mutombo Begins Treatment for Brain Tumor

The NBA announced Saturday that hall of famer and 8x all-star Dikembe Mutombo is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. The NBA said Mutombo is in “great spirits” and is beginning his treatment in Atlanta, Georgia. The league said, "Dikembe and his family ask for privacy during this time so they can focus on his care. They are grateful for your prayers and good wishes.”

The 8x all-star is now 56 years old and played 18 seasons in the NBA before retiring after the 2008-09 season. Throughout Mutombo’s legendary NBA career he was quickly known for his stellar defensive play. Mutombo ranks second to Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830) in career blocks with 3,289 as well as 17th in career rebounds (12,359). Mutombo’s signature move was a legendary wag of his right index finger after the majority of his blocks.

After his NBA career Mutombo has worked hand-in-hand for many charities and humanitarian causes. He has served as an ambassador of the NBA where he played a gigantic role in the development of the Basketball Africa League which just completed their second season this past year. Furthermore, Mutombo speaks nine languages and founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997 which concentrates on improving the quality of life for the people in Congo. The foundation is responsible for a 170-bed hospital in Kinshasa (capital of Congo), which has treated a half-million people regardless of their income. Mutombo has played a huge role both on and off the court impacting tons of people throughout the world in many positive ways.

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY

Where Will Panthers Star Running Back Christian McCaffrey End Up?

Following the firing of head coach Matt Rhule the Carolina Panthers are beginning to turn the tide as huge changes are needed in 2023. However before next season begins, the biggest question is whether pro-bowl running back Chrstian McCaffrey will be on the move or not. McCaffrey’s contract is his biggest obstacle as the 26 year old is locked in on a 4-year, $64 million deal through 2025. If he were to get traded to a contender this year, there is no doubt this will need to be restructured. With that in mind let’s look at the best potential landing spots for McCaffrey.

Buffalo Bills: The Bills have been the strongest rumored team to land McCaffrey. Spanning back to last off-season, this pass-happy team has been looking to trade for McCaffrey. He is a very explosive running back that excels in the pass-game and if the Bills were to trade for him they would be nearly unstoppable in that sector of the offense.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles have two running backs, Miles Sanders and Boston Scott, that are both free agents in 2023. Their sophomore back Kenneth Gainwell does excel in the pass game as well and could work very well behind McCaffrey. Similar to the Bills, McCaffrey would join an extremely explosive pass game with multiple playmaking receivers such as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Furthermore, McCaffrey has worked well with run heavy quarterbacks in the past such as Cam Newton so working with Jalen Hurts would be nothing new to him.

Los Angeles Rams: Coming off a Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Rams have had quite the Super Bowl hangover so far. The Rams are currently on the verge of cutting ties with running back Cam Akers due to off the field issues as well. They still have Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcolm Brown in their backfield along with injured rookie Kyren Williams. However if the Rams were to add McCaffrey, he could be the spark their struggling offense needs.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

How Andrew Wiggins & Jordan Poole's Contract Extensions Affect Draymond Green

There has been a ton of drama regarding the Golden State Warriors this offseason. However this past weekend they had locked down two crucial parts of their championship roster, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole. Both superstars are coming off an incredible regular and postseason performance and they knew coming into the season that the brinks truck would be cracked open for the two.

Jordan Poole is just 23 years old and averaged 18.5 points and four assists in 30 minutes a game for the Warriors last year. He played in 76 total games where he would eventually form into a crucial starter for the Warriors. This impressive performance was enough for Poole to earn a four-year, $140 million extension from the Warriors.

Similarly, Andrew Wiggins shined as well where he took his game to a different level when the postseason came around. Playing in all 22 postseason games for the Warriors, Wiggins averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block per game for Golden State in just under 35 minutes per game. Wiggins has filled in a huge role after the loss of Kevin Durant just two years ago and because of this was able to lock in a four-year, $109 million contract extension which was a no-brainer for Golden State.

After the extensions of both Poole and Wiggins, Golden State now sits at just under $500 million in total payroll and tax penalty this year with only twelve players signed to the roster. This will likely go over the $500 million mark during the 2023-24 season especially with Draymond Green opting-in to his player option. However, Green has publicly expressed that he wants to sign a max contract so this puts the Warriors and Joe Lacob in a very difficult situation. Depending on Green’s performance this year he may not find a team that is willing to offer him a max contract. Similarly with the extensions of Poole and Wiggins, he will not find that max contract in Golden State. This ultimately brings up the overarching question, is this the final season for Draymond with the Golden State Warriors?