Will the 2026 Warriors Move On from the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year?
Four-time NBA Champion, four-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-Defensive First Team. Those are just some of the accolades that Draymond Green has achieved with the Golden State Warriors. The team drafted the Michigan State alumnus with the 35th pick in the 2012 draft and still reaps the benefits of that decision to this day. Or are they? The 35-year-old forward is nearing retirement, and his minutes-per-game last year dropped below his career average. On court, the years seem to have caught up to Green, even slightly. With that in mind, let’s explore how likely Golden State is to move the floor general.
There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind about what Green has meant to this franchise. When he came on board as a rookie, he joined during a time when the Warriors looked to establish a winning core. The basketball savant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson quickly built synergy, and the wins didn’t take long to arrive. The 2017 Defensive Player of the Year became a defensive catalyst, as portrayed by the title he rightfully earned during Golden State’s best single season. If he retired today, Green would leave a legacy that’s nearly impossible to fulfill for any player walking through the Bay.
However, we must not stay prisoners of the past. Though he still has value on both sides of the ball, now may be the only time the Warriors can get something out of their future Hall-of-Famer. The former Michigan State Spartan no longer serves as the on-court presence he once was, and despite the impact he can still provide as a leader, I don’t believe that his effects in the locker room solely warrant his stay. He is not a hindrance to the point of a possible release, but the Warriors wouldn’t play their cards right if they exclude him from trade talks.
Yes, his relationship with newly resigned head coach Steve Kerr, as well as with other front-office members and players, makes decision-making harder. I don’t think the sentimental aspect of this matter will sway the team to make one decision or another, but I do think it may prolong the process. Realistically speaking, Green probably serves as a key piece after the departure of Jonathan Kuminga, even at the age of 35. So, Warriors fans, do not be shocked if you see your beloved fire-starter playing for another squad during the 2026-2027 season.
