Draymond Green is still a Golden State Warrior-despite the swirl of trade deadline rumors that had him potentially heading to Milwaukee in a blockbuster deal involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Warriors held firm, keeping their four-time champion in the Bay. But not everyone thinks that was the right move.
In fact, Green has landed at the top of a recent ranking of the NBA’s most overrated players, with some tough criticism directed his way. The core argument? His reputation-built on years of elite defense, fiery leadership, and championship pedigree-no longer lines up with what he’s bringing to the floor right now.
At 35, Green is averaging 8.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game this season. Those are respectable numbers for a role player, but they’re a far cry from the kind of impact that once made him the heartbeat of the Warriors’ dynasty.
Most notably, his defensive presence-long the foundation of his value-has slipped. He’s posting a career-worst 113 defensive rating, and the Warriors are actually defending slightly better when he’s off the floor.
That’s a stat that stings, especially for a player who was named First-Team All-Defense just last season.
It’s been nearly a decade since Green took home Defensive Player of the Year honors, and it’s been eight seasons since he averaged double digits in points. The decline isn’t sudden-it’s been a slow fade-but it’s becoming harder to ignore.
Now comes the business side of things. Green holds a $27.7 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
Given the current trajectory of his play, there’s real doubt he’d command anything close to that number on the open market. The smart money says he picks up that option-and if he does, he’ll be back in a Warriors uniform next season.
But what happens after that? That’s where things get complicated for Golden State.
This is a franchise that’s long prioritized loyalty and continuity, but it’s also one staring down the realities of roster aging, cap constraints, and the need to pivot toward a new era. Green’s leadership and institutional knowledge are invaluable-but if the production continues to dip, the Warriors may have to make a tough call.
For now, Draymond stays. But the conversation around his future is only getting louder.