22-year-old forward Marquese Chriss has already played for four franchises over the course of his short 3-year career, but he may have found a more permanent home in San Francisco after signing a non-guaranteed contract as a free agent this offseason. Chriss impressed his teammates and head coach Steve Kerr during camp, and has started the last three preseason games for the Warriors.
Draymond Green defended his new teammate after a loss to the Lakers on Wednesday night when asked about Chriss’ development. According to Green, the NBA world doesn’t hold the league’s “[expletive] franchises” accountable when a high pick flounders early in his career. Chriss was selected eighth overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Suns, and was eventually traded just before the 2018-19 season started.
(Warning: Video contains profanity.)
“I think everyone was just kind of waiting on him to turn that corner. He seems like he’s turning the corner. You know, I think he’s been in some pretty tough situations. No one ever blames the situation, though, it’s always the kid. No one ever blames these [expletive] franchises. Just always want to blame the kid. It’s not always the kid’s fault.
He’s getting older now so he’s not a kid anymore, but he came into this league as a kid. But it’s never the organization’s fault, it’s always that guy. That’s why I’m happy he’s got the opportunity to show what he [can do].”
