The re-signing of Steve Kerr this summer made one thing perfectly clear: the Golden State Warriors are not done chasing championships. Even as their core ages, and the competition becomes increasingly loaded, the Warriors remain committed to helping star point guard Stephen Curry win his fifth title.
Nobody yet knows how their situation will play out this summer, but former NBA point guard Jeff Teague says they should consider a run for superstar center Joel Embiid. According to Teague, who is best known for his time with the Hawks, Embiid is the most available star option for the Warriors, even though the price of acquiring him is steep.
“They’re going to trade Draymond,” said Teague on ‘Club 520.’ “This is just me thinking out loud. They’re gonna trade Draymond and somebody else. Go for Embiid, bro. I’m thinking you’ve got to make a splash. You can’t get Giannis. You can’t get Kawhi. You’ve got to get somebody that effective for Steph. The most available person is Embiid. He’s still got years on his contract.”
Draymond is a Warriors lifer who played a crucial role in their four previous title wins. At 36 years old, the former Defensive Player of the Year may not be what he used to be, but he’s still effective on the wing, where he averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on 41.8% shooting and 32.6% shooting from three this season.
With just one year and $27.6 million left on his contract, Draymond makes an ideal trade candidate, but he alone would not be enough for Joel Embiid, a former MVP and iconic big man who was once the face of the Philadelphia 76ers. To even make the money work financially (Embiid makes $58.1 million next season), it would likely require a sign-and-trade agreement with Kristaps Porzingis, who is also set to be a free agent in July.
Proposed Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis (sign-and-trade)
On paper, this trade seems like a steal for the Warriors, but there’s a reason why the price is so low for someone who was once considered the best center in the game. With career averages of 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game on 48.9% shooting, his game is not a question, but it’s his health that’s in doubt due to constant setbacks that have beset his career. In the 2025-26 campaign, he was limited to just 38 games.
Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis would not be a glamorous return, but at least they provide some more stability for a team that’s already rich with talent in the form of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
“If they get Draymond Green, who is a salary dump, he already plays that kind of ball, with two ball-dominant wings,” added Teague on the 76ers. “I’m not saying they’re Klay and Steph, nowhere near them. But he knows how to play with these kinds of dynamic guards. Let these two cook, get a Draymond, and then you start building your roster a little bit.”
Ultimately, there’s no indication that the Warriors will look to trade for Joel Embiid this summer, but there would be worse things they could do. Even at this stage of his career, Joel can dominate the paint, and it’s a skill the Warriors have needed for years. So, in this final act of the Curry era, why not go all-in and take the ultimate risk for Embiid? If he even has one healthy season, it could be enough for the Warriors to give their star point guard the ending he deserves.
