The Golden State Warriors, despite seemingly having clear direction, are at a crossroads. They are married to a core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler, although that trio got bounced in the second round of the playoffs.
Granted, Curry missed most of the series with an injury, but all three stars are aging, and the West is more competitive than it has ever been.
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One former player suggested a massive move that, to fans, could be unthinkable.
Golden State Warriors stars Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.© Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
“I love Draymond to death, but I think it’s time for that marriage to end, Draymond and the Golden State Warriors, they need to part ways with each other,” Vernon Maxwell said. “I just feel like they got to break it up and make some moves.”
Trade Draymond? That seems excessive, although by getting his salary off the books, the Warriors could look to rebuild or assemble a more well-rounded core around Butler and Curry.
While Green’s trade value is not very high, Golden State could package him and a chest of draft picks (as well as Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis) to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, as an example.
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Green is arguably the second-best player in franchise history, and letting him go in the name of maximising Curry’s window might not sit well with fans, although nostalgia doesn’t win games.
Green has been included in rumors in recent seasons, although after Klay Thompson signed with the Dallas Mavericks, it was expected that both Curry and Green would end their careers in Golden State.
Maybe that’s wishful thinking.
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