ESPN’s Marc J. Spears believes the Warriors should remain patient and use the tradeable contracts of Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis to pursue a major move at the 2027 deadline.

The Golden State Warriors could use their veteran contracts to pursue a major roster change before the 2027 NBA trade deadline.

Speaking on 95.7 The Game, ESPN’s Marc J. Spears suggested that Golden State should remain patient because the contracts of Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis could become valuable trade pieces during the season.

Spears believes several teams could decide to change direction by the deadline, potentially giving the Warriors access to players who are not currently available.

Warriors possess several tradeable veteran contracts

“You think about what you have,” Spears said. “You have expiring contracts with Porzingis, right? He’s got a tradeable contract with Porzingis. Draymond’s got a tradeable contract. Jimmy has a tradeable contract.”

Butler is entering the final year of his deal and is scheduled to earn approximately $56.8 million during the 2026-27 season. He has been under contract with Golden State since arriving from the Miami Heat in February 2025.

Green recently returned to the Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million agreement. His contract does not contain a no-trade clause, preserving Golden State’s ability to include him in a deal, although the organization reportedly has no intention of moving him at present.

Porzingis re-signed with Golden State on a reported two-year, $40 million contract after averaging 16.1 points in 15 appearances following his midseason arrival from the Atlanta Hawks.

His deal also gives the Warriors another significant salary that could be used to match money in a potential trade.

Credit AP – Scanpix

Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green could understand potential trades

Spears believes Butler and Green have reached a point in their careers where they would understand if the Warriors decided to move them as part of a broader roster overhaul.

“And you’re going to have teams that I believe at the trade deadline might be willing to make major change,” Spears said.

“I do think that Jimmy and Draymond are mature enough at this stage of their career where they’d be like, ‘I get it. I understand. I get it.'”

Butler will enter the season recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in January. Before the injury ended his 2025-26 campaign, the six-time All-Star was averaging 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.

Green, meanwhile, is preparing for his 15th NBA season, all with Golden State. The four-time champion averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season.

Warriors urged to remain patient until trade deadline

Golden State finished the previous regular season with a 37-45 record and placed 10th in the Western Conference. The Warriors retained much of their veteran core during the offseason rather than completing another blockbuster move.

Spears argued that the organization should evaluate its performance during the opening months before determining whether another major move is necessary.

“That’s why I think maybe, for Warriors fans, the best thing to do is be patient to see what happens at the trade deadline, see where the team is,” Spears said.

“It’s not about today. It’s about the end of next season.”

The Warriors previously explored major additions involving LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Jaylen Brown but ultimately retained Butler, Green, and their remaining assets.

Credit AP – Scanpix

Mike Dunleavy could wait for new stars to become available

Spears believes Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. would be better served waiting for the trade market to develop rather than forcing an immediate transaction.

“I think for Dunleavy, the way their roster is built and what they have now, I think patience – trying to make some big moves at the trade deadline – might be, to me, the better route to go,” Spears added.

“Not the pretty route, not tomorrow, it’s not for the patient, but I think it is the best thing to do.”

Teams frequently reassess their situations after disappointing starts, injuries, or stalled contract negotiations.

Golden State’s collection of significant short-term salaries could allow the franchise to enter those conversations without immediately sacrificing all of its younger players.

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