Pacific Notes: D. Green, Simmons, I. Jackson, Z. Williams

Posted by Admin October 18, 2026 Basketball

Draymond Green says the trust he has developed in coach Steve Kerr is helping him accept changes to his role in the Warriors’ offense, Luca Evans of The San Francisco Chronicle writes in a subscriber-only story. Green will see less time trailing plays and directing teammates from the top of the key and will be stationed in the corners and on the wings more often.

The switch is a result of Green’s assist-to-turnover ratio, which slipped to 2.1:1 last season, the lowest since 2013/14, when he was still a backup. Kerr is focused on reducing turnovers because the team’s margin for error isn’t what it used to be.

“I think for me, it’s different because — you’ve always been in position to make the play,” Green said. “And now you’re in the position to at times to make the play, or for somebody to make the play for you, or for you to make the cut to allow someone to make the next play. For the most part, I think what it boils down to is, ultimately, trust.”

Kerr said this week that Green has been “all in” with his new responsibilities, finding cutters with passes from the wing and making the right reads in the short roll. Green averaged 6.3 assists and 1.5 turnovers during the preseason and handed out 10 dimes in 24 minutes Friday night. Kerr added that he’s “very comfortable” beginning the season with Green at center, which may be necessary considering Kristaps Porzingis’ health issues and Al Horford’s limited availability at age 40.

There’s more from the Pacific Division:

The Warriors, Knicks and Timberwolves all had some interest in Ben Simmons before signed with the Kings, according to Marc J. Spears of Andscape (Twitter video link). Spears describes Simmons’ decision to come to Sacramento as a “soft landing for a hard relaunch.”
Coach Tyronn Lue confirms that Isaiah Jackson will be the starting center when the Clippers open the season Wednesday against Sacramento, relays Justin Russo (Twitter link). Jackson came off the bench in all 17 of his appearances after being acquired from Indiana in February.
Ziaire Williams was one of the biggest winners of the Lakers’ preseason and may have earned a spot in the opening-night starting lineup, states Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The Los Angeles Times (subscriber link). L.A. signed Williams to a veteran’s minimum contract because coach JJ Redick admired his defensive skills. He went 5-of-5 from three-point range during the preseason while impressing Redick with his leadership and character. “Everybody in our building that has been around him for the last, you know, six to eight weeks just recognizes what a special human being he is,” Redick said. “I really believe in him as a player, and I think he’s got a lot of room to grow still, which is exciting for all of us.”