Draymond Green's future at the Golden State Warriors is already a source of conversation before the new season even gets underway, and part of it undoubtedly has to do with the addition of exciting lottery pick Yaxel Lendeborg.
The Athletic's Marcus Thompson again brought up Green's name as a potential trade candidate before the mid-season deadline, with Lendeborg's early impact set to have a big say on the future of the veteran forward.
Lendeborg already forcing Warriors into tough Green conversation
There's a number of factors leading to this discussion, starting with Golden State's unwillingness to give Green a multi-year deal in free agency after he initially opted out of his player option to give the front office flexibility to pursue LeBron James.
But while James was making up his mind which ultimately led to a shock move to the Philadelphia 76ers, Lendeborg was dominating in summer league on his way to tournament MVP and leading the Warriors to the championship.
If not for the excitement surrounding Lendeborg, there likely wouldn't be as much talk over Green's future with the team. After the Warriors failed to sign James or any other big name, they appear destined for the Play-In Tournament again as they await the return of six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler from injury.
Should the Warriors be an around .500 team as many expect, there's very little reason for Steve Kerr to be relying heavily on Green when there should be an eye to the future with Lendeborg and fellow young forward Gui Santos.
If Golden State get to the mid-season trade deadline and Green is playing a more limited role, it would only make sense that they'd use his $27.7 million expiring contracts, along with draft assets, to see if they can get a genuine upgrade.
Yaxel Lendeborg may push Draymond Green out of starting role
For years it looked like Jonathan Kuminga who might be the young forward to push Green out of a starting role, but that never happened outside a very brief period during the 2024-25 season. Now it might be Lendeborg who is the one, in combination with Santos, to usher Green into a bench role.
The 23-year-old showed impressive signs on both ends of the floor during summer league, and his offensive versatility is something Golden State are likely to need right away without Butler available through the first couple of months.
If we get past the mid-season deadline and Green is no longer part of the Warrior roster, it's fair to presume that Lendeborg's development and impact will be a major reason as to why.
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