Golden State Warriors: Reviewing the bigs in 2018/19 and their free agency projections

Draymond Green

Draymond Green struggled during the regular season. Sport analysts were calling him ‘washed’, while others were calling for trades (I wasn’t one of them).

Since his rise to stardom in 2014, Green hit five-year lows last season, averaging just 7.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks.

During 11 games in the month of February, Green had a negative point differential when on the floor, the first time for a full month since 2014. That just can’t happen for a former all-star and defensive player of the year.

Green also stirred up the pot with KD, hitting Durant with a few well-pointed verbal blows that he didn’t take lightly following a game in November.

Then Draymond and KD became besties again, the playoffs rolled around, Draymond shed 23 pounds, and oh my lord did he flip the narrative.

Green discovered his old form and was an absolute pest, single handedly dismantling opponents’ offenses.

In the playoffs Green was excellent. Look at this per game line:

• 13.3 points
• 50% field goals
• 10.1 rebounds
• 8.5 assists
• 1.5 blocks
• 1.5 steals

Green made all the naysayers swallow their words and reminded us of the transcendent player that he is. His ability to guard all positions and his vision of the floor to create offense with his passing are extremely valuable to the Dubs.

The question is, how valuable do other teams think that is?

Green is currently entering the last year of his contract, where he will make $18.5 million. How much money the Warriors can realistically offer Green depends on what happens with Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant. If Thompson and KD get max contracts from the Warriors, coupled with Curry’s record-breaking contract, it just might not make sense to pay Draymond what he surely will ask for (assuming 2019/20 goes well).

To complicate the whole matter, Draymond has signed on with Rich Paul’s Klutch Sports Group, the architect behind Anthony Davis’ public trade request debacle. I cannot picture Paul negotiating any type of deal that would be viewed as a discount for Draymond.

A look back on some of Draymond’s stellar post-season play:

Prediction

Last year was a fluke for Draymond. Next year he returns to form and averages double digit points. I think the Warriors will exceed many people’s expectations and much of that will be due to Green, resulting in a return to the all-star team. He certainly will not shoot as poor from three as he did last year.

Conclusion

The Warriors’ bigs certainly have their work cut out for them, as does the front office in their continued search for the right combination of players.

With multiple promising young pieces that have loads of seemingly untapped potential, the story line of 2019/20 will be how much of that potential these youngsters can display alongside Green.

If one or two bigs can have a breakout season, that would be a huge plus to take some of the load off the shoulders of Curry and ignite another playoff run.