Warriors’ Draymond Green elated by Suns’ move that ‘makes the most sense’

Draymond Green publicly endorsed the Phoenix Suns' hiring of former Michigan State star Mateen Cleaves as a player development coach, reposting the news on Instagram with the caption "Because it makes the most sense! Watch!" Green positioned this as a strategically smart move amid challenges posed by the NBA's new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which has introduced stricter salary cap regulations like the second apron hard cap.

Green expressed frustration about the CBA's impact on free agency in a separate Threads post, stating "NBA free agency is over... it never really started" due to the new financial constraints. He criticized players for "overplay[ing] the market" while lacking understanding of the new business rules. ESPN analyst Bobby Marks countered on Twitter/X, arguing free agency declined because nearly 50 potential free agents prioritized guaranteed money through extensions enabled by the new CBA.

The Cleaves hiring reflects Suns owner Mat Ishbia's culture-focused strategy, leveraging their longstanding relationship from Michigan State. Cleaves, the 2000 Final Four MVP and former NBA first-round pick, will focus on "leadership, motivation and overall player development" according to reports, mirroring his previous role as leadership coach at Ishbia's mortgage company since 2019. Dwyane Wade praised the hire on his podcast, calling Cleaves "a winner" who can directly challenge players.

Additionally, the Suns hired veteran assistant coach Jesse Mermuys, who brings experience from seven NBA franchises including the Lakers, Raptors and Magic, where he previously led Summer League teams.