“We’re all gonna get traded” – Draymond Green on what will happen if the Golden State Warriors don’t turn things around.
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Draymond Green Calls for Accountability as Warriors Struggle to Find Their Footing
The 2024-25 NBA season has been a turbulent ride for the Golden State Warriors, a team that has gone from one of the most dominant forces in the Western Conference to fighting for a spot in the playoff picture. After a promising start, the Warriors have found themselves struggling with inconsistency, raising serious questions about their ability to contend for a championship. A recent statement by Draymond Green, the vocal leader of the Warriors, revealed just how deep the concerns run within the team.
In typical Green fashion, he didn’t hold back, demanding accountability from his teammates as they approach a critical juncture of the season. “We gotta win games or, I told the guys, we’re all gonna get traded out of here, so we better win some games,” Green bluntly stated. This is classic Draymond—always willing to say the tough things that others might shy away from. But his message is clear: the Warriors need to turn things around, or the roster could look very different in the near future.
The Warriors are teetering dangerously close to the edge of the playoff race, with teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns nipping at their heels. Given the wealth of talent on Golden State’s roster, including two-time MVP Stephen Curry, Green’s fiery speech underscores the immense disappointment within the team at their current standing. At the start of the season, many experts believed that the Warriors, with their depth and championship pedigree, would be a force to be reckoned with. Instead, they have struggled with chemistry, injuries, and an overall lack of consistency.
The Warriors’ Depth and Potential
But the reality has been far from ideal. Despite having some of the league’s top shooters and a championship-tested core, the Warriors have struggled to mesh their pieces together. One major issue has been the inconsistency of their role players, and the inability of key guys like Thompson and Wiggins to return to their previous form. Thompson, in particular, has been a shell of the player he was before his devastating injuries. Wiggins, who was crucial in the Warriors’ 2022 championship run, has been inconsistent on both ends of the floor.
Moreover, the Warriors’ bench hasn’t provided the spark that was expected, especially from the younger players who were supposed to step up and provide relief to the stars. Poole, while showing flashes of brilliance, has had trouble finding consistency. The lack of a reliable second unit has put added pressure on Curry, Thompson, and Green, which has made their overall performance far less potent than expected.
Green’s Challenge: Playing Out of Position
Draymond Green’s words and actions reflect his deep frustration with the state of the team. One of the most significant areas of concern for the Warriors has been their defense and overall rebounding, which has been exacerbated by the absence of a true center. Green, known for his versatile defensive abilities and leadership, has often been called upon to play the five position, despite being only 6’6″ tall. This is a role that is physically demanding, especially against larger centers in the Western Conference.
At the start of the season, Green was not keen on playing center. It’s a difficult position for someone of his size, and it requires him to deal with much bigger players in the paint. But as the Warriors’ defense faltered and their depth was tested, Green stepped up. “We gotta do what we gotta do to win games, whatever that looks like. For me, coming into the season, I’ll be honest. I didn’t want to play a ton of five. It’s hard… I don’t love it for entire games, but I love to win, and more importantly, I hate to lose,” Green confessed.
Green’s willingness to step out of his comfort zone speaks to his commitment to the team and his competitive nature. It’s a reminder that Green’s value isn’t just in his scoring or his playmaking; it’s in his leadership and his ability to adapt for the team’s success. However, while his versatility is admirable, the Warriors can’t afford for Green to be worn down over the course of a full season by playing out of position. The team needs a true center to stabilize their defense and rebounding efforts. Until then, Green will continue to carry the heavy load, but his energy and effectiveness will likely diminish the more he is forced to play the five.
The Trade Watch Cloud
Green’s bold statements about potential trades reflect the urgency that the Warriors’ management and players are feeling as they face the very real possibility of missing the playoffs. The trade deadline is still several months away, but the Warriors will be watching the standings closely. If the team doesn’t start winning consistently, they could be looking to make some moves to shake up the roster.
The Warriors’ front office is known for making bold moves to keep the team competitive, but there’s only so much they can do if the players don’t start living up to their potential. It’s clear that Green’s message isn’t just a call for personal accountability, but a plea for the entire team to step up and take ownership of their performance. The Warriors can’t afford to continue drifting along without making the necessary adjustments.
For the players, the trade rumors could add another layer of pressure. No one on this roster, not even Curry, is guaranteed to be untouchable in a potential trade scenario. The Warriors need to figure out how to get back on track, or they could risk seeing their championship window close far sooner than anyone anticipated.
The Road Ahead: Can the Warriors Reclaim Their Dominance?
The Golden State Warriors are at a crossroads. With the talent they have, there’s no reason why they should be struggling this much. However, the reality is that they’re in a dogfight to even make the playoffs, and if they don’t turn things around soon, they could be in danger of slipping out of contention altogether.
It’s not just about individual performances—it’s about finding the right team chemistry and rediscovering the identity that made them one of the most feared teams in the league. They need to tighten up on defense, get their role players to step up consistently, and most importantly, get healthy.
For Green, the challenge is clear: he will continue to push his teammates to be better, even if it means playing out of position or calling for trades. But it’s not just about holding others accountable—it’s about finding the right balance and rediscovering the Warriors’ championship form.
As the season continues, the Warriors’ future hangs in the balance. They’ve got the pieces to turn things around, but only if they can find a way to mesh and play up to their potential. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Green’s warning will be heeded, or if the Warriors’ championship aspirations will slip further out of reach.
