Draymond Green: Why the NBA world thinks a 2nd-rounder who has made $2.5 million in his career is the future of the league

Green was rewarded for his part in the championship, getting a five-year, $85 million deal from the Warriors — a considerable pay raise from the $915,000 he made last season.

While Green is not available to teams, he remains perhaps the most coveted type of player in the NBA, according to Grantland's Zach Lowe. On his podcast, "The Lowe Post," Lowe discussed the small-ball revolution in the NBA and said people around the league talk about Green more than any type of player, even LeBron.

"Literally the player that is most often brought up in conversations I have with GMs and scouts and assistant GMs and other players is Draymond Green," Lowe said. "Everybody is talking about Draymond Green. I'm sorry I keep mentioning him in columns, but literally, he comes up more than LeBron."

Whatever the preferred methodology, Bogut is right: Green deserves a spot at the table. Here are five arguments in his favor.

Jon Wilner of Bay Area News Group:

"The topic is the 2012 NBA draft — his draft — and Warriors forward Draymond Green has his game face on. Offered a printout of every selection to assist his recollections of that fateful night, Green scoffs.

“I don’t need it.”

And with that, he begins.

“First was Anthony Davis to New Orleans,” he says. “Then Charlotte took (Michael) Kidd-Gilchrist. Then Washington took Bradley Beal. Fourth was Cleveland: Dion Waiters.

“Eight was Toronto: Terrence Ross …

“Sixteen was Houston: Royce White …

By the time he’s done, Green has reeled off the names of all 34 players selected ahead of him and the corresponding team.

In order.

Ticked off? You’re darn right he’s still ticked off.