Draymond Green has never been one to hold back his thoughts, and his latest comments about former Kentucky Wildcat Karl-Anthony Towns have ignited another round of NBA drama. The Golden State Warriors' outspoken forward speculated on why Towns missed Tuesday’s game at Madison Square Garden against the Warriors, and his take quickly made waves across the league.
Towns, now a New York Knick after a blockbuster trade ahead of the 2024-25 season(one that sent another former Kentucky star Julius Randle to Minnesota), was ruled out of Tuesday’s game due to "personal reasons." Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau later indicated that Towns might also miss the team's upcoming West Coast road trip. However, Green said he had "heard" that Towns’ absence was about avoiding Jimmy Butler.
On The Draymond Green Show, Green stated, "Some would say he didn't play because Jimmy (Butler) was in the building, I don't know." While Green insisted he wasn’t spreading rumors, his words quickly gained traction, especially on social media and sports shows like First Take.
However, it was later revealed that Towns missed the game to attend a funeral for a close family friend of his girlfriend. By the time the truth surfaced, Green’s speculation had already taken off, making his comments seem even more reckless in hindsight.
Revisiting the Towns/Butler Saga
For those unfamiliar with the long-standing tension between Towns and Butler, the rift dates back to their time as teammates on the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2017-18 season. After being acquired by Minnesota, Butler famously clashed with Towns in a fiery practice session, reportedly taking a group of reserves and dominating a team led by Towns and Andrew Wiggins. The situation escalated, practice was shut down, and Butler soon forced his way out, landing in Philadelphia.
Since then, there’s been a persistent theory that Towns prefers to avoid facing Butler, though the stats don’t say that at all. The two have met nine times, Butler hasn’t beaten Towns since the 2020-21 season, making Green’s claim even weaker.
Before becoming an NBA star, Towns was a dominant force for John Calipari’s Kentucky Wildcats during the 2014-15 season. As a freshman, he played a key role in leading Kentucky to a 38-1 record, coming up just short of a national championship. His time in Lexington showcased his elite skill set—versatile scoring, rim protection, and a high basketball IQ.
While Towns has grown into one of the NBA’s premier big men, his reputation has often been clouded by critics who question his toughness. Green, never shy about calling out opponents, seemed to feed into that narrative with his comments.
Green after finding out the real reason behind towns absence said "Oh man…But what I heard was…what I heard…I send well wishes…but the Draymond Green Show will go on". The show will go on but the damage was done, and the rumor took on a life of its own. Even veteran analyst Chris Broussard referenced it on national television before realizing it was baseless.
KAT may not respond off the court, but don't be surprised if he comes out with a monster game when the Warriors and Knicks play next Saturday.