It feels like “the clock is ticking down” on the relationship between the Warriors and Draymond Green, according to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic, who likens the situation to the start of the “accommodation stage in a turbulent but prosperous marriage,” with the strains becoming increasingly visible.
In Kawakami’s view, it seems safe to assume that Green’s future with the Warriors beyond the 2022/23 season is very much up in the air, since team executives already weren’t 100% sure about a lucrative new commitment to Green even before he punched teammate Jordan Poole in a practice last week.
Both sides need one another for now, since the Warriors probably can’t realistically win another title this season without Green, but the latest misstep by the former Defensive Player of the Year is a sign that a divorce is probably coming at some point, Kawakami writes.
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- The Warriors may have been more inclined to suspend Draymond Green for his actions if they weren’t receiving their championship rings on opening night of the regular season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski stated during a TV appearance (video link via ClutchPoints). “If this incident had landed in the middle of the regular season, there’d probably be a suspension. If the Warriors weren’t defending champions and were just playing an ordinary opening night, there might very well be a suspension,” Wojnarowski said. “Golden State did not want to punish Draymond Green in a way where he’d miss opening night where he’d get his fourth ring with the Warriors.”
- Jordan Poole is the only reason the Warriors’ championship defense isn’t “in tatters,” according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, who lauds the fourth-year guard for the role he has played in the team’s efforts to mend fences.
- Head coach Steve Kerr praised Kevon Looney, whom he called the team’s “moral compass” – for the role he played in helping the Warriors navigate the Green incident. “He’s a special human being. Special,” Kerr said, per Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. “And he was a key instrument in everything that we’ve had going the last week to try to get things back on track.”
- Andre Iguodala still hadn’t scrimmaged as of Tuesday night and won’t be active when the Warriors begin their season next week vs. the Lakers, according to Kerr (Twitter link via Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area).
- It has been 18 months since James Wiseman, who suffered a meniscus tear in April 2021, last played in a regular season NBA game. Kendra Andrews of ESPN takes a look at how Wiseman pushed through that long, challenging rehab process – which included multiple setbacks – to get back on the court this fall.
I would love to see Green and Portis play together and see which one punches first?
I am the first poster who wants to trade away Draymond and his $164 million contract demand.
We all knew he was going to walk at the end of the year unless he took some kind of a discount. We all knew he wants to be his own man and out from the shadow of Steph Curry and Lead his own team to a championship. Sort of like Shaq because they told him he only has his Rings because of Kobe.
We’ve been saying this for months. Ever since the Pistons then Lakers rumors started spreading.
YOU wanted to trade Green because he was 32 years old and not a good player anymore. That’s never going to be the reason. Green’s defense and Leadership on the floor is essential, just as Tim kawakami says above.
YOU wanted to trade Green and get a younger player or players. YOU wanted to partly rebuild whereas they are already partly rebuilding. They have 6 guys ready to step in and be players that are under 30.
You want to trade everyone.
oh wow! congrats on that original take, sillivan!
DirtyDra punched out PollutedPoole …..
Who cares ……. They deserve each other.
The National Enquirer has always been a hot seller. We want to know who slept with who, who’s fighting with who, etc.
At least we win buddy!
Knick fans are forever bitter
If either of them were on the Knicks he would be praising them as their best player.
Going to be a very interesting season for GSW.
Title contenders for sure, defending champions. But already negative signs occurring. A lot of big personalities and money involved with contract talks and extensions pending. This team is at a bit of a limbo between its older veteran stars and the young kids coming through going on to be stars and having been apart of a title winning side now.
Be interesting to see how this all unfolds, Green Poole Wiggins. Does it affect their ability to win games? Will trade talks grow as we build up towards the deadline.
I don’t hate GSW at all I think they are obviously one of the smartest organisations in the league for how they built their team and the continued success. However I am happy to see a changing of the guard. I’d love to see Draymond on another team be it the LA lakers, be it back home in Detroit, or wherever. Think he’s got a lot to prove to people that underrate him. Okus the negotiations with Poole, does he prive himself out of GSW or want out, and at the same time does GsW try cash in on him and put faith in Moses Moody instead. Then you’ve got Andrew, coming off a huge deal. What’s his value, I’m sure he’d want to stay so how much of a discount will he accept…..
All true and those are legitimate questions for sure. You already know how I see it playing out. Poole is gone this summer even though restricted, the Warriors won’t match Orlando’s big money. Green’s out because he wants to be his own man. Wiggins stays for a little bit of a discount.
2 years ago by the way, I would have thought Wiggins was the first guy out of town, but he has really stepped up and turned into exactly what the Warriors needed. Good for him and good for the warriors.
With all those questions you have Simmons >russ, how do you see it playing out?
How does Poole for in with Orlando? They already have a glutton of perhaps overated young guards Anthony, Suggs, Fultz and Hampton, not sure that they need another.
Maybe Cole Anthony but he’s probably a backup. Suggs is an off guard and Fultz should probably be cut or a backup. I was thinking Hampton was an off guard.
Just thought there might be a fit and cap room. Doesn’t have to be Orlando I just threw it out there.
They have a bunch of guards but they all don’t really mesh well and fit with one another. Jalen is a big point that’s a pass first guy and they try play him at the 2. Cole is a score first point with inconsistent outside shooting and he plays the 1. Fukui is currently injured but he’s another point that doesn’t shoot well and same with Hampton, a big point guard that doesn’t shoot well.
Poole is a pure shooting guard, offers really good outside shooting, some ball handling and play making ability but not to ball dominate. Think long term wise the plan will be to play off Paolo as the main ball handler. So you want athleticism, outside shooting, length, etc etc. That’s why I could see them going Cole Poole Paolo Wagner Carter Jr 2023/24. Paolo the main ball handler with Poole and Cole playing off that and offering good shooting. I could see RJ being the back up as someone who can play either hurt spot, offers energy and is improving at everything. Kinda hope Jalen gets traded away cause I really rate the kid just don’t think Orlando was a good spot for him at all. Would love to see him start fresh somewhere like maybe Houston or San Antonio
That’s exactly how I see it too.
I think trade talks for Draymond grow as the trade deadline comes but ultimately with the loyalty he’s shown the team over the past decade and the success he brought they both come to the same conclusion (behind closed doors) that they will let him assess FA and leave if he wants but there will be an offer for him to return. Then as the season finishes he can for the first time in his career have a look at FA and look at potentially leaving. Return home to Detroit will be an option as they have the money. Teaming up with LeBron in LA will likely be an option with Russ’s deal expiring.
Then with Poole as you said GSW can match any offer as he is restricted but I they won’t match the big money. I can see lots of teaming throw in an offer, Orlando, Charlotte, Indiana, Oklahoma etc etc. Orlando makes the most sense personally. Team up with Paolo and join the rest of those young guys. Chance to really build a strong young team and decent little market and place to live.
Then as you say Wiggins I can see staying and taking a little bit less to do so. Think he’s been around a while now and knows what it’s like to play for losing teams, having to be the number 1 option at places and playing in small markets. He’s really settled in as a star role player for this team. Maybe a 3rd option, plays both ends of the floor, wins lots of games, huge fan base but all eyes on Steph. It’s a great situation for him.
Overall for GSW going forward I wouldn’t be to worried either. I think Jonathan Kuminga will take a big jump this year, Wiseman staying healthy I think he could be able can lock down that centre spot. Wiseman and Kumingas rise allow for Dray to leave and those minutes filled easily. Losing Poole will hurt the impact form the bench but I rate Moses Moody, and think if you continue to draft well and pick players smartly in FA you should be just fine.
Not to mention saves the owner millions in tax money for a change and yet the team should still be very good
Yep I agree. Letting Poole walk kicks the big money can down the road a couple years. Hopefully Ryan Rollins becomes a big time player with some work and of course Moody and Kuminga look ready to step up. Warriors should be pretty good in 23-24.
Yeah I rate Rollins and Baldwin as late draft picks. Even Nico Mannion you retain his rights even tho he’s in Europe he could come back and with the right develop still be a good contributor too
It’s Greene, Klay, Curry, and Igoudala receiving their fourth rings, Looney picking up his third.
It’s Poole and Wiggins picking up their first on the coattails of a dynasty. Great players but let’s not sweep Green out the door without understanding that in doing so you will be moving on from a dynasty, and whether or not the GSW believe in the power of that will play out this season.
I don’t think the Warriors have a chance at a title if they break up the dynasty, unless they completely clean house and move on from Green, Curry and Klay. It will be interesting.
I see some of what your saying but I don’t agree with all of it. Can’t see them ever completely cleaning out the house and don’t think that would bring them success either.
As for the end of the dynasty yes and no. If Dray leaves it’s the end of an era that’s for sure. 4 titles with this team, will have his jersey retired by them and potentially a HOFer but it doesn’t necessarily mean the dynasty is over. I could see Wiseman, Kuminga and others stepping up and filling Greens minutes and this team still being extremely good and winning titles in the future. Hypothetically speaking say Dray does leave but everything else remains the same I think GSW could still win a title within the next 3 seasons. If those young guys continue to develop and improve and take over as Poole has done, then this team could continue to keep winning and then you’d say the dynasty continues just a new era.
It’s not to say that Poole and Wiggins were not a big part of the ’22 championship team, both Poole and Wiggins were integral in winning the title, GP II and OPJ also played big parts, but the core of the dynasty is Green, Curry, Thompson, Igoudala.
Riding the coattails is a reference to that fact. All in all, well deserved championship, Poole and Wiggins certainly are deserved champions, and GSW doesn’t win without their contributions, but make no mistake, neither are in the inner circle of power when it comes to team dynamics, as younger player excel and vie for both playing time and payroll, the internal power struggles play out and that’s what we are seeing with Draymond and Jordan Poole, the question is how much weight does GSW’s management put in the power of keeping the dynasty together?
I don’t think a mish mash of the two works out well for GSW. I’d say you either do what it takes to keep Green, Thompson and Curry together without internal conflicts, or you usher in a new core, and in my opinion that means moving on from Green, Thompson and Curry.
Basically what I’m saying is signing Poole to a max deal, unless it’s a sign and trade, is kissing the dynasty in place goodbye.
Have to trade either Poole or trade Steph, Green and Thompson.
Tough call to be honest, could save a lot of dough trading away the three stars, and stockpile a boat load of draft picks and players but in doing so you forgo the opportunity to let a true dynasty play out it’s days and potentially win one or two more championships.
Oh my goodness bwiller.., you never trade away a core who just won it all last year, and has a total of four championships together. You give them another run back at least or two even.
Hopefully Jonathan Kuminga or James Wiseman or the both of them can make up for Draymond Green after this season is over. But you’re not trading Curry and Thompson when that’s been the winningest back court in the NBA looking back at the last 10 years.
4 championships? C’mon man. Its either trade Poole or Curry? “Tough call to be honest?” Seriously?
Crazy how nobody says anything about what Poole did? Poole pushes Green harder than Adams pushed the camera man!!! Yes Green didn’t move due to his size advantage… unlike the camera man…hey a guy once got in my face I did the same as Poole. He charged back, got restrained before we can get at each other.. Then He pressed charges for me pushing him…… Go Figure
I had posted another comment and it has been deleted, it wasn’t flagged, it wasn’t derogatory, so why was it deleted?
I guess it’s not important in the way of losing my work, my efforts which I share with your community because I felt like this was one of the best outlets to share my sports takes, but it is important if the administrators of the site are deleting comments arbitrarily without any notice, without any cause. Because if that’s the case then I’ll find another outlet for my comments.
Likely because it was a response to a comment that was deleted (the replies to a comment get removed when it’s deleted). I think I’ve restored it.
That makes sense thank you for the clarification.