Draymond Green’s Role Is Shrinking - and the Warriors Face a Tough Offseason Decision
The Golden State Warriors have pulled off a couple of vintage comebacks lately, clawing back from double-digit deficits in the fourth quarter to beat the Suns and Grizzlies. And they did it without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, or Kristaps Porzingis on the floor. But as impressive as those wins were, there’s a subplot that’s hard to ignore: Draymond Green wasn’t part of the closing unit in either game.
Green logged just 24 minutes in both contests and watched from the bench as Steve Kerr leaned on Al Horford and Gui Santos to seal the wins. That’s not a small thing.
When games get tight, coaches show who they trust. And right now, Kerr is trusting others to finish the job.
That’s a tough pill for a player like Green - a four-time All-Star, a defensive anchor, and a franchise cornerstone during the Warriors’ dynasty run. But it also speaks volumes about where things stand.
Green is still a smart, disruptive defender, but his impact isn’t what it used to be. And with his minutes shrinking in critical moments, the Warriors are staring down a complicated offseason.
Green holds a $27.7 million player option for next season. That gives him some control, but not total freedom.
If he opts in, he locks in a sizable payday - but also opens the door to a potential trade. The Warriors didn’t move him at the deadline, but that doesn’t mean they won’t revisit it this summer.
And if he’s not in their long-term plans, they may look to flip that salary for younger pieces or more shooting.
On the flip side, Green could opt out and test free agency. The challenge?
He’s unlikely to find a deal that matches the value of his current option. At 35, with declining production and a reputation that’s taken some hits over the past couple of seasons, the market may not be kind.
Opting out would give him the freedom to choose his next destination, but it might come at a steep financial cost.
So what’s the right move? That’s the million-dollar (or $27.7 million) question.
If Green stays, he risks being moved somewhere he doesn’t want to go. If he leaves, he risks taking a significant pay cut.
And for the Warriors, it’s just as complicated. Green has been a defining piece of their identity for over a decade - the heartbeat of their defense, the emotional leader, the guy who did the dirty work so Steph and Klay could shine.
But sentimentality doesn’t win games, and right now, Kerr is making decisions based on performance, not legacy.
There’s still time for Green to shift the narrative. Curry’s eventual return could help recalibrate the rotation, and Porzingis might open up new lineup combinations that better suit Green’s skill set.
But the clock is ticking. If his role continues to diminish, the noise around his future is only going to get louder.
This isn’t just about one player. It’s about a franchise trying to navigate the back end of a dynasty - balancing loyalty with practicality, legacy with results. And as the Warriors fight to stay relevant in a crowded Western Conference, the Draymond Green question looms large.