Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has admitted that for the team, "it feels like the end of our season." So it wouldn't come as a surprise that Kerr is already looking forward, making preparations for the campaign to come next season. And one big task that awaits is the possibility of trading for assets that could involve Draymond Green.
Moving out Green seemed unthinkable as he is part of the Warriors core of superstars. With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the defensive specialist and acknowledged court leader by the Dubs is purportedly untouchable. However, there are NBA executives who believe that "the Draymond Green trick is over."
That was from the poll conducted by Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher, who claimed that some GMs in the league are thinking that Kerr should move to capitalize on the 30-year-old Green. A surefire benefit of getting a trade partner with Green on the table is the likelihood of winning a lottery pick, which to be sure is something that Kerr could use going into the draft market.
The Warriors will finish the season, which remains suspended, with a record that will give them access to prized draft picks. Kerr can surely increase his luck of getting the right men on the lot by making use of an undeniable attractive draw in the person of Green.
According to Clutch Points, one possibility that is staring at Kerr's face is trading for Jazz star Rudy Gobert, who like Green excels in foiling the offensive plans of the opposing team. Gobert has been voted twice as the NBA's best defensive player and he matters too in the points department, which for Kerr means a winning deal.
Utah is thought to be looking to move out Gobert following the center's reported fallout with fellow Jazz Donovan Mitchell. The feud stemmed from the coronavirus pandemic that saw the two getting infected. It would seem that reconciliation is out of the question so one has to go away, and most likely the Jazz would prefer that Mitchell stays.
Yet while Gobert ticks all the boxes for Kerr, NBC Sports said: "The Warriors are unlikely to trade Green as it is, and even if they do, they won't do that straight-up swap."
Per the report, the Dubs see Green as a valuable component and his contribution to the team cannot be replicated by any other player at the moment.
"Green is to the Warriors what Dennis Rodman was to the Bulls. He is their spine, their snarl, and their heartbeat," said the NBC report.
It's true Gobert's skill set will interest any NBA team but what the Jazz star right now pales in comparison to the things that Green can do for the Warriors.
"While Gobert is two years younger and is arguably the top rim protector in the league, he is not the passer, shooter, screener or on-ball defender that Green is, nor could he be expected to provide the same kind of leadership, both on and off the court," added the report.
As things stand now, Green is too valuable an asset for Kerr to give up.
