Draymond Green verdict Victor Wembanyama MVP argument
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SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Draymond Green #23 of Golden State Warriors stares down Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs after fouling him In a NBA Gold Cup game in the second half at Frost Bank Center on November 14, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors has never been shy to express his opinions on issues and topics across the NBA, and that was no different after the team’s recent game, as he addressed his thoughts on Victor Wembanyama‘s recent argument as to why he deserves to win the MVP award this year.
Speaking after the Warriors’ win over the Brooklyn Nets, Green said that he both ‘hated’ and ‘loved’ Wembanyama’s MVP argument.
The San Antonio Spurs star is near the top of the ladder for the top regular-season award, and while he still trails behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic (depending on the sportsbook) in MVP odds, he continues to make a strong case every single night.
Victor Wembanyama’s MVP Argument
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs, wemby mvp
GettyVictor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida.
Before we get to Green’s response, understanding why Wembanyama believes he deserves the MVP should be made clear.
The French center has said he feels he should be the favorite for the award multiple times this season, but in a recent interview with Jared Weiss of The Athletic, he laid out three reasons why he should take home the MVP this season.
“My first one would be that defense is 50 percent of the game and that is undervalued, so far, in the MVP race,” Wembanyama said. “I believe I’m the most impactful player defensively in the league. Second argument would be that we almost swept OKC in the season and we dominated them three times with their real team and four times with the, you know, more rotation players. My third argument would be that offense impact is not just points.”
Wembanyama does things on a basketball court on any given night that have never been seen before, regardless of its on offense or defense. He is currently averaging 24.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, three assists, and 3.1 blocks on 50.5% shooting in 58 games, having the best season of his career.
He’s already a shoo-in to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, and while he is perhaps the biggest unicorn in the NBA today, he still ranks behind the other, more established stars in the MVP race.
Still, he makes a compelling argument, one that Green felt he had to address on Wednesday.
Warriors’ Draymond Green On Wembanyama’s MVP Case
In a five-minute rant after the Warriors’ win over the Nets, Green made his thoughts clear on Wembanyama’s case for the MVP award. Along with saying that he both hated and loved the 22-year-old’s argument, he also brought up some less-discussed points.
Anthony Slater
Draymond Green on Victor Wembanyama vocalizing his MVP case: “I hated it…and I absolutely loved it.”
Green has been vocal in the past on DPOY: “You don’t help them see it, damnit they can’t see.”
Full passionate five-minute soundbite
“Everybody says he has a great point,” Green said. “Hello? You think? I hated that he had to do that for it to be said. All of a sudden, you turn on the TV and everybody is like, ‘Actually, maybe Wemby is the MVP.'”
Green went on to praise Wembanyama for his defense. He added that in terms of the race for the NBA’s top end-of-season awards, it requires players to state their case themselves, rather than wait for the media to catch up and name them as rightful favorites.
“With these awards, if you don’t talk, people can’t see,” he said. “With the game of basketball, let’s not act like everyone can just open their eyes and know what’s going on…Until Evan Mobley finally said something last year, no one was going to give him Defensive Player of the Year. If you don’t come out and speak for yourself, it don’t work.”
Green, who has spent his entire career with Stephen Curry, holding two MVP awards of his own, also mentioned that it’s up to Wembanyama to make his own case, regardless of if he’s actually in contention to take home the honor.
“I tip my cap to Wemby for being willing to sit up there on that platform and say, ‘This is why,'” he added. “Not hide from the question. Not just assume they’ll figure it out. No, they won’t. I’m happy he’s smart enough to know they won’t figure it out.”
Wembanyama has anywhere from +2000 to +3500odds to win the MVP this season. Despite his strong play on both ends, he still sits behind Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic, but just like this year, he’ll likely be in contention for the award for as long as he’s healthy and in the league.