Draymond Green has reminded everyone that he's capable of guarding the league's best over the last two games, and that the Golden State Warriors don't necessarily need to trade for a star as they explore deals involving the absent Kristaps Porzingis.
Once again playing as a small-ball five, Green has played an important role in back-to-back road victories as the Warriors get their season back on track. He helped keep Nikola Jokic to just 19 points on 18 shots in Denver on Monday, before Rudy Gobert was limited to one point and four rebounds while effectively being played off the floor on Wednesday in Minnesota.
Draymond Green reminds Warriors what they need from Kristaps Porzingis trade
Green's performances themselves haven't been the only notable aspect, but also the fact that Kerr has trusted the veteran forward as a small-ball option while keeping Charles Bassey and Graham Ike essentially glued to the bench -- Bassey played two minutes in the first-half on Wednesday.
It's a reminder that against the best opponents when the Warriors are desperate to win, Kerr will trust in the 36-year-old to get it done, even if he's giving up significant size, weight and bringing offensive limitations.
If the Warriors can reach the playoffs -- which is a long way away but possible based on the last two games -- Kerr will almost certainly lean on a frontcourt of Jimmy Butler, Yaxel Lendeborg and Green. Perhaps Al Horford gets a look as well as another veteran with immense experience.
That would suggest Golden State don't necessarily need to trade Porzingis for a legitimate star, or even a starting calibre player. Would a player like Myles Turner or Wendell Carter Jr. even close games for the Warriors down the stretch of games? Not necessarily.
What they do need is a center who holds more upside and trust than Bassey and Ike. They need someone who can lessen the burden by offering 15-20 quality minutes every game, then scale up to 25-30 minutes on nights where Green and/or Horford are missing.
Warriors are heading in right direction with Yves Missi interest
Golden State's reported interest in Yves Missi is a perfect example of this type of player. The New Orleans Pelicans big man is an upgrade and has higher upside than Bassey and Ike, but isn't proven or experienced enough to be upset if he's not closing games over Butler, Green or Lendeborg in the frontcourt.
Missi could come in and play 15-20 minutes a night, then have an expanded role when Green and/or Horford are out. He's still got another season on his rookie contract, so Kerr wouldn't feel obliged to play him big minutes because of some major deal.
The Missi interest makes a lot of sense from this standpoint, particularly if the Warriors can utilize Porzingis' contract to also acquire Trey Murphy III or Herb Jones in a deal with the Pelicans.
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