The Golden State Warriors are reeling from a seriously disappointing summer. They whiffed on LeBron James, despite being “one of the favorites” early in free agency, and totally failed to build the roster they envisioned. Now, the biggest deal they actually *did* make, re-signing Draymond Green, looks less like a fresh start and more like a ticking clock on an era.
The Big ‘Miss’ That Set The Stage
Remember all the hype? The Warriors were supposed to make a huge splash, especially after Draymond Green opted out of his $27.7 million deal. Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, via ESPN Shams Charania, said Green made that move specifically “to give Golden State the flexibility to pursue LeBron James.” Yeah, that flexibility ended with Green just sliding back into the *same* one-year, $27.7 million contract. No LeBron, just Draymond back on a familiar deal. Ouch. NBA writer Jake Weinbach captured the mood perfectly: “The Warriors are officially running it back despite missing the playoffs last season. Golden State re-signed Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II this summer.” They mostly brought back familiar faces from last season or recent years. So, after all that talk, they’re just… doing it again? That’s not the roster “envisioned,” not by a long shot.
Six Months Left? No Way!
But here’s where it gets real. The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson dropped a bombshell prediction: “It’s probably six months left for the Draymond Green era.” SIX MONTHS! Green’s current one-year, $27.8 million contract doesn’t have a no-trade clause, making it a “very tradable contract.” Thompson felt this was coming for a while, but the way Warriors GM Dunleavy was talking, it sounds like a cold, hard evaluation: “Alright, let’s see where we are in February because if we’re not where we need to be, then we’re just going to start selling pieces off and starting over.” Steph Curry and Green are both hitting the latter stages of their careers, and the struggles to remain competitive for the “last couple of seasons” are clearly hitting hard. This isn’t just chatter, this is a real possibility of a mid-season fire sale.
Let’s not forget what Draymond Green *means*. This isn’t just some player. He’s a four-time NBA champion, a key part of the Warriors’ dynasty, and he’s earned $277 million throughout his career there. Trading him would “officially mark the end of an era” for Golden State, a legendary one. According to Thompson, that heartbreaking split could happen as soon as this season if they can’t turn things around. So, every dribble, every pass, every single game for the Warriors this year? It’s all on the line. They have to prove they can still win, or the dynasty is officially done, potentially by February. The clock is ticking, and the NBA is watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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