“Players Get Screwed” – Draymond Green Doesn’t Mince Words Calling out NBA for New CBA

Draymond Green defended the players after the Celtics traded away two members of their 2024 championship squad ahead of the upcoming NBA season.

“Players Get Screwed” – Draymond Green Doesn’t Mince Words Calling out NBA for New CBA

Draymond Green and Jaylen Brown (Image by FirstSportz)

Driven largely by the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, the Boston Celtics have begun breaking up their 2024 NBA Finals roster. With stricter cap constraints in play, the team moved two key stars this offseason to stay under the league’s financial limits.

The 2024 NBA champs traded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday this offseason in an attempt to dodge the intimidating second apron of the new salary cap. One of the Celtics’ fiercest opponents, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, is not happy with what is happening to the team. Green made his intentions clear regarding the new CBA deal on his podcast show.

When I said this, before the deal was even signed, that this is ridiculous, it is gonna hurt players in the end, no one wanted to listen and everyone wanted to act like the PA was making a great deal, the PA made a (expletive) deal, as the PA has done for years now. Every year, the pot gets bigger and the business gets better, and the players get screwed more. That’s just how this business works.

Draymond Green said

The NBA’s new second apron has brought much-needed parity to the league, but it’s come at a cost for players, many now struggle to maximize their earnings as teams grapple with tighter cap restrictions. Draymond Green has criticized the new CBA, arguing the Players Association failed its members. And judging by how contract values are being undercut, he may have a point.

For the Celtics, the situation has worsened as they look to avoid the cap without trading too many of their stars. In addition, there are reports that the Cs are open to listening to offers for their main star, Jaylen Brown, as well as Derrick White. This has left the Celtics fans concerned as they go into an important offseason.

With the Celtics open to trading anyone, this leaves the future of Jayson Tatum in doubt. However, with Tatum rupturing his Achilles, he will likely stay in Boston for the new season. The Celtics won’t budge on losing Brown easily as well. Any deal to sign one of Brown or White won’t be easy for the teams that are interested in them, but the salary cap factor may just play a role in this.

NBA insider shares an update on a possible Jazz-Jaylen Brown trade deal

This particular offseason has been wild in terms of player trades in the NBA. The Celtics have been at the forefront of it all by trading two of their stars, as mentioned above. A few days ago, it was reported that the Utah Jazz are interested in acquiring the Celtics’ star man, Jaylen Brown, in a trade deal. Something that the Jazz president of basketball ops, Austin Ainge, dismissed at the 2025 NBA Draft day event.

However, as per NBA insider Brett Siegel, this is not the case. Despite Ainge’s stance, Siegel claims that the Jazz made an aggressive push for Brown.

The Jazz did, in fact, speak with the Celtics about the possibility of pursuing Brown and made an aggressive push for the 2024 Finals MVP, which Boston wasn’t entertaining, league sources said.

Brett Siegel wrote
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown (Credits: MARCA)

It’s important to note that Ainge just moved from the Celtics to the Jazz in his new role as head of basketball ops. A move to sign Brown would undoubtedly fulfill Ainge’s insistence that the Jazz be more competitive than they were during their 17-win season the previous year. However, it appears that the Celtics lack sufficient motivation to attempt to trade their four-time All-Star.

Celtics vice president of basketball operations, Mike Zarren, closed the door on any Jaylen Brown deal

A key player for the Boston Celtics, Jaylen Brown, has become caught in trade rumors as the offseason heats up. Around draft week, rumors of a possible move began to circulate, sending the basketball community into a frenzy. Not only the Jazz, but there are rumors that the Sacramento Kings are also lining up a move for him.

However, Celtics vice president of basketball operations Mike Zarren did not waste any time putting his views forward on this matter.

Those two (Jaylen Brown and Derrick White) guys are really, really great NBA players, and there hasn’t been anything close to serious about trading them.

Mike Zarren said

Despite Zarren making these statements, the Celtics have a lot to ponder, mainly to mind the cap. Given these guarantees from Zarren, rumors about the Celtics’ tactical moves continue to circulate. To secure the contracts of important free agents like Al Horford and Luke Kornet, the organization is aggressively looking into trade options involving role players, aiming for improved assets and financial flexibility.

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