Updated March 18, 2026, 2:46 p.m. CT
Add Draymond Green to the list of those who want the NBA to have a team in Nashville.
Green, on his podcast on March 18, said he believes the Grizzlies should move to Nashville with no relocation fee to help balance the Eastern and Western Conference if the NBA does indeed add expansion franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle.
ESPN reported on March 16 that the league is planning to vote soon to start the bidding process for expansion teams for the two cities. Both teams would land in the West, creating an imbalanced conference structure in a 32-team league.
“Memphis, which probably should be in Nashville, should be an Eastern Conference team. Definitely should be in Nashville,” Green said. “It should be an Eastern Conference team.”
“… Just do everybody a favor and move that team to Nashville. There are no great hotels in Memphis. I love the people of Memphis. They are incredible. Shout out to the people of Memphis. I love them. But, just from an NBA standpoint, there’s not a sauna or a hot tub in sight.”
The outspoken Warriors forward has utilized his podcast forum, The Draymond Green Show, over the past several years to speak about topics across the league.
Green’s opinion won’t win him any fans in Memphis. But given the residual from the Grizzlies-Warriors rivalry of a couple seasons prior, Green wasn’t going to be a fan favorite in west Tennessee anyway.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, earlier this week, identified Nashville as city that should get more consideration in NBA expansion talks, but said that he was “not advocating” for the Grizzlies to leave Memphis.
The Grizzlies’ attendance this season ranks last in the NBA.
The Grizzlies’ arena lease in Memphis expires in 2029, the Commercial Appeal reported. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said during All-Star Weekend last month that “relocation is not on the table right now.”
Green wants it back on the table, specifically in Tennessee.
“Get (the Grizzlies) the hell out of Memphis and send them to Nashville,” Green said. “Like, come on. Do the right thing, people. It’s a reason the Tennessee Titans are in Nashville.”
“…. Not one person would be upset.”