Draymond Green and Jordan Poole’s locker room dust-up ahead of the start of the off-season may have played a significant part in their inconsistent run so far, per a Western Conference executive.
Golden State is from being the elite unit they were last season. Injuries and indifferent form have been key factors and the team is currently placed ninth with a 29-29 record.
Green has been one of the constant headlines for the side this season. Starting off with the infamous punch, to having some heated fan exchanges, to his future in the Bay area, the forward continues to garner the buzz. Now, one of the Western Conference executives believes that he’s caused some dents in the Warriors’ locker room.
Speaking to Heavy’s Sean Deveney, the executive had his take on the Warriors’ run believing that trading the 32-year-old was the best way forward.
“They should (trade Green). If they made the decision that they’re not giving up any of the young kids, then that’s fine. But are you going to just keep chugging forward with what you’ve got? Obviously, the Draymond punch with Poole was a bigger deal than they let on. It is still dragging down that team, no doubt about it.”
The executive added that the chemistry had taken a hit and the off-season incident ruined the dynamic that made the side what it was.
“You talk to people there and the whole thing still is sitting over the whole team,” the exec said. “The camaraderie is not the same. The way guys open up to one another, that is not there. And you can’t force it to be there. You talk to guys who have been there a while, and there is a coldness that that team does not usually have.”
It’s worth noting that while his presence in the team is much-needed, he still does pose quite a few challenges for the Warriors. For starters, the contract stipulates that he remains with Golden State for this season on a $25.8 million pay, and has a $27.6 million player option next year.
With Poole and Andrew Wiggins already signing extensions, the Warriors may not look at Green as part of their plans in the future. With the team making it clear that they want to invest in younger players, chances are that Green might shift bases.
The fiery forward has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers previously, and should things pan out, he might join forces with LeBron James and Anthony Davis forming quite the powerhouse, although his defensive prowess and numbers have taken a bit of a hit.
Draymond Green Opens Up On His Future With The Golden State Warriors
On his part, Green is ready to accept what lies in store in the future. This January saw him get candid with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report, where he discussed his relationship with Poole, and shed light on his future with the Warriors.
He said “the writing on the wall” was quite clear and that he was very realistic about the happenings in the days to come.
“You’re setting yourself up for disappointment as opposed to saying, ‘No, let me learn this business.’ If you don’t get to know the business, then you can be blindsided and be like, ‘Oh, man, everything I’ve done there. I thought I’d be there forever.’ I would love to be. I understand the luxury tax. I understand you got these young guys and contracts up, and they have to get paid. Like, I understand all of those things. And so, just for me, that’s what I mean by the writings on the wall.”
For now, the Warriors have some work to do. As the regular season inches to a close, the Stephen Curry-less outfit will need some wins under their belt if they intend to make it as one of the top five seeds rather than risk hungrier teams vying for a postseason berth via play-in.
Green and Golden State play the Los Angeles Lakers next, followed by a skirmish against the Houston Rockets.
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