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Winners and Losers: Draymond gets $100 million to stay with Golden State Warriors

By Josh Cornelissen

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 06: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to the fans after Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder missed a foul shot during the third quarter at Chase Center on February 06, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 06: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to the fans after Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder missed a foul shot during the third quarter at Chase Center on February 06, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors, Draymond Green
Golden State Warriors, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Sacramento, Detroit and every other Draymond suitor

It seemed at least possible, if never particularly likely, that Draymond Green would consider other suitors in free agency. The Warriors were facing a mammoth luxury tax bill on top of the new harsh measures lobbied against teams over the second apron — that is, with massive payrolls. Perhaps another team could have swept in and stolen him.

But then Jordan Poole was shipped out for Chris Paul, and all of the teams lining up for Green started turning elsewhere. Green would have revolutionized the defense and culture on teams like the Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons or Dallas Mavericks; instead, they all turn to plans B and C and D.

Loser: Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga has been marginalized on the Warriors despite his prodigious talent, and that has largely been because of the non-shooting players above him. It’s hard to play Kuminga in the playoffs when you need to give large minutes to Green and Kevon Looney. If Green had walked, Kuminga was the natural replacement to step into a high-minute role. Alas, that is not to be.

Loser: Title Contenders

The Houston Rockets never made it to the NBA Finals. Neither did the Memphis Grizzlies, the Portland Trail Blazers or the LA Clippers. The Boston Celtics made it but didn’t win a title. All of those teams across the past decade fell to the Warriors in at least one of their six trips to the NBA Finals. Teams across the league are ready for Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and the Warriors to stop being in their way.

Next. Ranking 4 lucrative trade packages for Warriors to deal Chris Paul for a star. dark

That doesn’t mean the Warriors will enter next season as the title favorites, but they are always a threat to make a run. That may not have been the case if Green had joined another team, but with their defensive anchor back in place, the Warriors have a lot of winners, and a lot of winning in their future.

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