Coming into this season, there was a sense that it could be Draymond Green’s last with the Golden State Warriors. He signed a one-year contract that could make him expendable at the trade deadline, and his struggles last season suggested that he may be on the decline.
Yet it's already become apparent this preseason that Green remains an important part of the team. Even if head coach Steve Kerr wants to see Green do different things and become more of a three-point shooter, his defense is still going to be desperately needed for the team to achieve success.
Warriors' defensive struggles prove Draymond Green is still integral
In Tuesday night’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Green did not play and it was readily apparent in the first half as he was sorely missed on defense. The Warriors really don't have a ton of outstanding defenders, making for another season in which Green’s defense is going to be needed.
Gary Payton II is another strong defender on the team, but he’s a bench player so his impact on the game is going to be more limited. Green is the lone starter who can really be considered a strong defender. Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski are not known for their work on that end of the floor, and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg still has a lot of room for growth on defense.
That’s why it may not be a slam dunk that Green gets traded this season. While it could make some sense, the Warriors probably wouldn’t be able to get a ton in exchange for him. The four-time champion might be much more valuable as a mentor to young players like Lendeborg, than he is to whatever they’d get in return unless he had to be included in some huge trade.
Draymond Green has to be okay with new role for Warriors
Of course, the only way that works is if Green is okay with a mentor role. There was a sense he might feel challenged by a young player like Lendeborg who could take minutes from him, but as long as he can get along with the young guys then he has value as a teacher who can help them grow as players.
And it’s not like Green is totally washed up. Maybe he really thrives in his new role and shows that he still has some gas left in the tank. That would be the best of both worlds: he plays well while also helping the young guys grow. That’s the most graceful way this whole dynasty era can end since a championship seems like a long shot. One can only hope Green does both and proves that he's still valuable to the Warriors in more ways than one this season.
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