Warriors reportedly sign player Draymond Green, Klay Thompson mocked

A new Warriors signing has a chance to prove Draymond Green and Klay Thompson wrong.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Monday that the Warriors are signing 32-year-old forward Rodney McGruder to compete for a spot on the roster during training camp. The seven-year veteran has played for the Heat, Clippers and Pistons throughout his career, averaging 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 36% from three. He also notably got under the skin of two Warriors stars a couple years ago.

Back on Jan. 30, 2021, the Warriors defeated a floundering Pistons team 118-91 in a barren Chase Center. As players headed into their respective locker rooms, McGruder went up to then-Warriors rookie Juan Toscano-Anderson, who wasn’t even dressed to play, and said something in anger.

Thompson, who was a guest commentator on the local broadcast of that particular game, offered his thoughts about the exchange while on live television.

“I don’t know,” the then-injured guard said. “This guy might be out of the league pretty soon. He’s probably mad about that. Who knows? He’s over here checking my guy … trying to start something like he’s a good player or something. Bro, get out of here.”

As it turns out, McGruder was getting in JTA’s face over something the then-Dubs rookie said to Wayne Ellington. Draymond Green said he was in the locker room and didn’t see the incident, but stood up for his teammate in the postgame presser nonetheless with some scorched earth commentary on what kind of man McGruder is.

“When the f—k did Rodney McGruder become the tough guy of the team?” Green said. “I don’t know, man. Everybody in the league tough these days. It’s crazy. I’ve seen a lot of tough guys this year. I don’t understand it.”

The bombastic forward later added, “But I know ain’t nobody scared of no damn Rodney McGruder, like f—king kidding me? It’s crazy. Insane. But Klay said it best. Klay said it best. So, yeah, leave it at that.”

It’s been more than 2.5 years since then, but Dubs fans clearly haven’t forgotten as they flooded Charania’s mentions with references to what Thompson and Green said about the incident. With any luck, the two Golden State stars themselves will have shorter memories, otherwise there’s about to be some awkward tension during training camp.