Speaking with the media after Draymond Green’s latest on-court scandal this week, Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. made it clear that he’s not ready to give up on his championship core. In a short statement, Dunleavy stood in solidarity with Draymond and expressed unwavering loyalty to the former Defensive Player of the Year.
“We’re committed to him. He’s been here a long time, he means so much to this organization. Like I said, I think this is about turning this thing into a positive and getting better. His play has been fantastic, it’s just been availability that has not been great. We want to make that better.”
Mike Dunleavy on Draymond Green in the wake of this latest incident. Green is on year 1 of a four-year deal. “We’re committed to him.” pic.twitter.com/5xSqGmKFaT
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 14, 2023
It’s the same old tune for the Warriors, who have been enabling Draymond’s outbursts for years now. Dating back to this infamous suspension in the 2016 Finals, Draymond has always been one to cross the line, but now he seems to be taking his antics to a whole new level. So far, the Warriors don’t sound like a team that’s ready to move on from their longtime defensive anchor but they may not have a choice if he continues to act out on the court.
Uncertain Future For Dray
As a 4x All-Star, 4x champion, and 8x All-Defensive player, Draymond Green’s legacy as one of the best defenders ever is already set in stone. Without his impact defensively, the Warriors could not have achieved the same success, and his role in their dynasty has not been forgotten by the organization, who rewarded him with a four-year, $100 million deal last summer. At 33 years old, the best of Draymond’s career is likely already over but there was hope internally that he could help them win one or two more titles before it’s all said and done.
Now, there are concerns that Green will not even play out the remainder of his contract. With each passing season, the NBA veteran appears to grow increasingly unstable and it’s becoming a major liability for the Warriors. This year, with 15 games already missed, the whole situation has grown out of control and it’s tainting what should have been an electric final run for this group.
Warriors Are On The Clock
Draymond’s descent into instability has come at the worst possible time for Golden State. At the same time, they are experiencing a decline in play from Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and even fan-favorite big man Kevon Looney. All the while, Stephen Curry continues to be the mega superstar we know and love, averaging 29.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on 46.8% shooting this season.
For the sake of maximizing Curry’s what’s left of Curry’s prime, the Warriors cannot afford to stay patient with their veterans. With a quarter of the season already in the books, the time is now for the Warriors (and specifically GM Mike Dunleavy Jr.) to consider all possible trade options. Draymond and Klay are safe for now but don’t be surprised if they get mixed up in the rumors this season as Golden State slides further and further down the standings.
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