TITLE: Pacific Division Roundup: Draymond Green’s Timeline, DeRozan’s Frustration, Bufkin’s Lakers Deal, Jalen Green’s Return
SLUG: pacific-division-notes-green-derozan-bufkin-jalen-green
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San Francisco, CA — Warriors forward Draymond Green believes he can extend his career for “another two to four years,” he told Mark Medina of EssentiallySports.com. “I feel great,” Green said. “If I can’t compete at an elite level, it’s not as fun. But I have more left than I thought I would at this point.”
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said he did not shop Green before the trade deadline, contrary to earlier reports. The four-time All-Star holds a $27,678,571 player option for the final year of his deal and must decide by June 29.
Kings drop 13th straight; DeRozan shows frustration
Sacramento’s skid hit 13 games Monday when New Orleans routed the Kings at Golden 1 Center. During a third-quarter timeout, forward DeMar DeRozan slammed a water bottle to the floor. Head coach Doug Christie said he understood the outburst. “His frustration is about ending a skid,” Christie told the Sacramento Bee. “This is the first time in a minute we weren’t really in a game.” Christie added that DeRozan remains “a consummate professional.”
Bufkin earns standard contract with Lakers
The Lakers converted guard Kobe Bufkin’s G League success into a two-year standard NBA contract. The former Hawks first-round pick impressed with the South Bay Lakers and said the organization’s long-standing interest was a factor. “They’ve always shown love, Rob Pelinka specifically,” Bufkin said, according to the South County Register.
Jalen Green works back from hamstring issues
Suns guard Jalen Green logged his sixth appearance of the season Saturday, scoring eight points in 17 minutes during a loss to Philadelphia. Persistent hamstring problems have limited the first-year Sun, who admitted he is still learning to “trust everything” physically. “That’s going to come with time,” Green told the Arizona Republic.
Source: Hoops Rumors
