The Golden State Warriors are at a critical junction. With their core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green all getting a year older by the time the 2025-26 season tips off, ascending in the loaded Western Conference will be an uphill battle.
The team’s decision-makers face a pivotal offseason with much to consider, particularly the future of forward Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors selected him seventh overall in the 2021 draft. Over his four NBA seasons, the 6’8″ forward has displayed moments of brilliance alongside spells of inconsistency. This leaves the Warriors with plenty to think about as they assess his potential and role moving forward.
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Former NBA champion Vernon Maxwell, though, has a bold recommendation to help the Dubs stay relevant next season: trade Draymond.
Time for the marriage to end
Dray and the Dubs have been married for 13 seasons since Golden State took a chance on the undersized forward from Saginaw, Michigan, in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft. The longshot has become a surefire star for the Warriors, becoming a defensive demon who has helped them win four NBA titles in the last 10 years.
However, their union has not been without its fair share of struggles. From on-court arguments with teammates to off-court controversies, Draymond’s fiery personality has sometimes caused tension within the organization.
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However, perhaps the biggest issue facing the Warriors is Green’s declining production on the court. He averaged 9.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game this season. Unfortunately for the Dubs, he was atrocious in the postseason. With Curry missing most of the West semis against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Green failed to step up and give Butler offensive support, averaging just 10.6 points on 38 percent shooting.
“I love Draymond to death, that’s my guy, man. I think it’s about time for that marriage to end, you know, with Draymond and the Golden State Warriors,” Maxwell said. “They need to part their ways with each other. Steph’s going to be Steph. I mean, he needs some more help. They need to get him some help. But I just feel like they got to break it up, man, and make some moves.”
Give Kuminga a shot
Trading Draymond would undoubtedly pave the way for the 22-year-old to get more minutes. Although the explosive forward is teeming with potential, he has averaged only 22 minutes per game in his career, primarily due to head coach Steve Kerr leaning more on his experienced players.
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But with the West set to become a lot tougher with the Dallas Mavericks presumably selecting Cooper Flagg with the first pick and the San Antonio Spurs getting back Victor Wembanyama, who missed the second half of the season due to a deep vein thrombosis, the Warriors need to think long and hard about their future.
Former NBA guard Keyon Dooling asserted that the Warriors’ front office should give the young players more responsibilities.
“I feel like, you know, you got to bet on the youngsters at this point. I think Draymond has served his purpose in Golden State. You know, they maximized his potential. You know, he’s a champion. He’s going to be forever in all of our hearts, you know what I mean, as the heart and soul and the spirit of that Warriors dynasty,” Dooling explained.
“I think you got to bet on the young boy, you know what I mean?” he continued. “Instead of doing a sign and trade with Kaminga, you will find more minutes for him if Draymond is not on that team, right? And you will change kind of the way that you play. And I think scoring is something that they need. And this guy averaged 14, 15 points in limited minutes.”
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Dooling has so much confidence in Kuminga that he believes the Warriors organization would regret letting this young man go.
“I think he’s — right now — if you trade him, he’ll be like how Tracy McGrady was when he got traded from the Raptors. He’ll be like on the cusp, if not an All-Star. He’ll be a very, very talented lead scorer in the NBA-type guy. He’s that talented,” Keyon declared.
To be clear, it’s doubtful that Golden State will part ways with Green. With his connection to the team’s superstar, it’s unlikely Curry will sign off on a transaction that will take the team’s defensive anchor away from the Bay Area.