Draymond Green Has Harsh Criticism For Knicks

The first week of the NBA season is already revealing which teams look prepared to challenge for the championship and which appear to be pretenders. Draymond Green has typically been part of contenders, with the Golden State Warriors spending the past decade among the Western Conference’s elite. Few players understand winning basketball as well as Green, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James given their extensive playoff experience.

Green has used his podcast to discuss the current state of the league and has become one of the few active players to openly criticize other active players and teams. The former Defensive Player of the Year recently named a few squads he believes can truly contend for a title this season.

Passionate New York Knicks fans took exception to Green saying he doesn’t view them as legitimate contenders. “The Knicks, I just don’t believe that they’re contenders,” Green said on his podcast. “I don’t think they have what it takes to win at the highest level. I think you can stifle their offense and make it hard on them. Ultimately, guys that don’t really want to defend make it tough to win at the highest level.”

Draymond Green Doesn’t Buy Knicks Hype

The Knicks are currently the fourth favorite at +1200 to win the NBA championship, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Green’s Warriors sit just behind them at +1400 as the fifth favorite. Golden State has seen its odds improve, while New York remains viewed as a secondary contender.

The main reason for the hype surrounding New York is the perceived weakness of the Eastern Conference this season. Unless teams like the Philadelphia 76ers or Orlando Magic take a major step forward, few see anyone outside the Knicks and Cavaliers as legitimate Eastern Conference contenders.

Green’s point wasn’t about winning the East, however. He made it clear that he doesn’t believe New York’s roster has championship DNA. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges have each reached the conference finals multiple times, while OG Anunoby has an NBA title to his name. Still, Green doesn’t see this group as one capable of winning it all.

Knicks Can Prove Draymond Green Wrong

Green believes his experience and contributions to winning at the highest level make it easier for him to recognize which players and teams possess the “it” factor. He has criticized Rudy Gobert for years, citing the center’s defensive drop-off in the playoffs and inability to adapt to his team’s needs in crucial moments.

The Knicks won’t face the Warriors until later in the season, with one matchup scheduled for January and the other in March. By then, the league should have a clearer picture of which teams are true contenders. New York will have the chance to silence Green by stacking up regular season wins and defeating his Warriors head-to-head.

Ultimately, the real answer to Green’s criticism won’t come until playoff time. The Knicks will likely have an easier path than any Western Conference team because of the difference in competition between the two leagues. For New York to truly prove Green wrong, a championship banner must hang from Madison Square Garden.

Falcons Are Officially Buyers, Top Trade Targets To Fill ‘Biggest Need’

The Atlanta Falcons are officially buyers at the 2025 NFL trade deadline. After handing the Buffalo Bills their second straight loss, the Falcons improved to 4-2 on the young season. Not only are they 4-2, but they have looked like a top tier team at several points.

As such, it’s time for the Falcons to become serious about their post season aspirations. In the stacked NFC conference it’s going to take a herculean effort to make it to the big dance.

NFL.com’s lead writer, Kevin Patra, says the team needs to look to add a cornerback at the deadline.

“With rookie Billy Bowman Jr. injured, this group could still use another veteran, given how Mike Hughes and Dee Alford have struggled for stretches,” Patra writes. “We’re still waiting to see if Atlanta will move Kirk Cousins ahead of the deadline to collect more needed draft picks (the Falcons have just five in 2026), but adding a secondary playmaker would improve the upstart defense in 2025.”

There are more team’s than usual that are suspected sellers so let’s take a look at some corners Terry Fontenot should target.

Rasul Douglas Miami Dolphins

Rasul Douglas is a veteran corner in this league. He didn’t have a team until just a few weeks before the start of his tenth NFL season when he was claimed by the Miami Dolphins. Given the 1-5 sinking ship that the Dolphins are, they are expected to be big time sellers.

From their edge rushers to their wide receivers, everyone is up for grabs. Douglas could be a perfect fit for the Dirty Birds and would come at a very low expense.

“There are likely a myriad of teams that would have liked to have added Douglas earlier based on his play in 2025. Doulgas has posted a 77.9 PFF coverage grade with three pass breakups across 161 coverage snaps, looking more like the standout player we saw in 2023,” writes Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker.

“At 1-5 and with persistent locker room turmoil, Miami will likely have a ‘for sale’ sign up. The 30-year-old rental could help the Falcons — who hold the worst PFF coverage grade at cornerback (47.1) — or the Bears, who are without Jaylon Johnson indefinitely.”

Cam Taylor-Britt Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals season ended with the Joe Burrow injury. They are losers of four straight and grasping at straws in an attempt to save the year. When they finally come to terms with the season they have been doomed to, I expect a full blown fire sale.

This will include the All Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. But I think an attractive piece is corner back Cam Taylor-Britt. The fourth year corner has been a starter since entering the league in 2022. He is in his fourth and final year of his rookie contract. This makes him both cheap, and expendable.

The Falcons are 27th in available cap space, so their options are limited this time of year. Bringing in a guy going into the final year of a cheap deal may be the only option.

Taylor-Britt is a depth piece on this current roster, but at 26-years-old if this coaching staff can get the most out of his ability he could become the a longer term piece.