Former 15-Year NBA Veteran Takes Shot at Warriors' Draymond Green, 'I Just Want to Know...'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 1:29 PM ET

The Golden State Warriors are still in a position to compete at the highest level.

Having Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green on a roster offers a team that opportunity. Whether or not the Warriors will actually be capable of being a title-contending squad hinges on their ability to make needed roster moves late in the offseason.

The club, notably, has not made any free agency signings, and the end of July is nearing.

Sure, the star trio is aging. Curry remains a superstar-level talent, though. Butler was the co-star he needed after the trade deadline last season. And Green can still anchor the defense in an impressive way.

Kenyon Martin makes controversial Green claim

Green still doesn't land the level of respect his career deserves, however. He's been an elite defender throughout his career. He's a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. He was a core piece of one of the best dynasties of all time.

A former 15-year NBA veteran and journeyman, Kenyon Martin, recently took a jab at Green during an appearance on "Gil's Arena."

"I can list 200 people that's better than Draymond Green at basketball right now," Martin said. "Championships aside. We're talking about going out and playing basketball. I'm not taking nothing from him.

"He did what he did, absolutely. I'm with it. I ain't ever say nothing bad about Draymond Green, but I just want to know is he a better basketball player than [players like Al Jefferson and Elton Brand]?"

Martin, himself, was a one-time All-Star at the NBA level.

Green, however, has won four NBA championships. He has made the All-Star team four different times. His career, while not marked by strong overall statistics, is much more decorated than Martin's was.

Martin can talk about basketball from a capability standpoint all day, comparing jumpshots, ball-handling, etc. Green does something Martin didn't at the NBA level, though -- win at the highest level.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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