Draymond Green isn’t buying the recent narrative shift in the NBA’s most heated award debate. The Golden State Warriors veteran took to his podcast this week to defend Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, pushing back against the surging media campaign for San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama.
Green made his stance clear: the MVP trophy still belongs in Oklahoma City.
Draymond Green Backs SGA Over Victor Wembanyama In MVP Race
The conversation reignited after Wembanyama publicly pleaded his case for the award. This move coincided with the 22-year-old phenom vaulting to the top spot on the league’s official MVP ladder. Green sees the jump as a product of narrative rather than an actual change in the season’s power dynamics.
Draymond Green on the SGA vs Wemby MVP race:
“I found it interesting that when Wemby spoke out, on https://t.co/Q10D9oEEvo he jumped to number 1 on the MVP ladder. Power of media. Fortunately and unfortunately, SGA has still been doing what he’s doing. You have to do something… https://t.co/914W7dkM71 pic.twitter.com/KtyBiWyRae
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) April 4, 2026
“I found it interesting that when Wemby spoke out the other day, on NBA.com, he jumped to number 1 on the MVP ladder,” Green said on The Draymond Green Show. “Power of media. Fortunately and unfortunately, SGA has still been doing what he’s doing.”
“You have to do something to take the MVP from him,” Green continued. “I just don’t really think it’s been taken. Wemby has built up a strong case, but I don’t think he’s done enough to take the MVP from SGA.”
Gilgeous-Alexander has anchored the Thunder to the top of the Western Conference standings. Oklahoma City holds a dominant record, backed by its relentless two-way production. He reminded voters of his ceiling on Tuesday, hanging 47 points on the Detroit Pistons in a 114-110 road victory.
The timing of Green’s comments highlights a growing divide between player evaluation and media narratives. Gilgeous-Alexander has played with metronomic consistency, navigating a brutal Western Conference schedule without missing a beat.
The Thunder offense runs through his precise footwork and elite foul-drawing ability, making him arguably the toughest cover in isolation.
The MVP race often fractures when comparing a high-usage offensive engine against a generational defensive anchor. Gilgeous-Alexander drives an elite Thunder offense. He dissects defensive schemes with his signature drives and mid-range precision.
Oklahoma City relies on his steady hand to close tight games, a role he has perfected over the last two seasons. Wembanyama’s statistical footprint might look louder. Team success remains a massive hurdle for the Spurs center, however.
Green’s backing of Gilgeous-Alexander underscores a fundamental basketball philosophy: regular-season dominance must be rewarded. The Thunder guard has not given anyone a legitimate basketball reason to take his spot. Until someone definitively outplays him on a winning team, the conversation should remain closed.
