The Golden State Warriors have already moved on from one member of their dynasty in Klay Thompson. Could Draymond Green be next?
On the latest edition of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Simmons argued that it makes sense for the Warriors to trade Green this offseason and set their sights on the future, rather than clinging to the non-Steph Curry remnants of their dynastic core.
“Trade Draymond. Right now is the time. Gotta do it,” Simmons said, via Basketball Network. “You gotta rip the band-aid off and talk Steph into it. We have to explain it to him that we’re not gonna be good for one year, and we’ll make it up to you.”
Simmons went on to suggest trading Green to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he could play with close friend LeBron James, in exchange for Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2029 first-round pick.
Green, 34, has played all 12 NBA seasons with the Warriors, carving out a major role on the franchise’s four championship teams.
The four-time All-Star is owed $50 million over the next two seasons, with a player option for around $28 million for 2026-27.
Trading him would clear $24.1 million from the Warriors’ cap this season, a not insignificant number, especially considering they have shed Thompson and Chris Paul’s salaries.
Of course, there is the human element to all this, which Simmons touched on. How do you convince Curry, who is 36, to be patient and wait out a season in which the team will be noncompetitive in the Western Conference?
It’s a tough situation for the Warriors’ brass to navigate in what has already been a critical offseason for the direction of the franchise.
Related: Klay Thompson Has Officially Announced His Free Agency Decision