Draymond Green has spent his entire NBA career with Golden State, but one prominent Warriors insider believes that partnership could soon reach its end.
Marcus Thompson of The Athletic has suggested Green may be traded before the 2027 deadline if the Warriors struggle during the opening months of the season.
The four-time NBA champion recently returned to Golden State on a one-year, US$27.7 million contract, but the short-term agreement and absence of a no-trade clause have created an obvious exit route.
“It’s probably six months left for the Draymond Green era,” Thompson said on the Warriors Plus Minus podcast.
“He’s on a one-year deal, $27.8 million, and doesn’t have a no-trade clause, so that’s a very tradable contract.”
Warriors Could Finally Break Up Their Championship Core
Thompson’s comments, republished by Yahoo Sports, represent an informed prediction rather than confirmation that Golden State is actively shopping Green.
However, the situation is no longer difficult to imagine.
Green opted out of his previous contract to give the Warriors greater flexibility in their unsuccessful attempt to sign LeBron James. After James joined Philadelphia, Golden State brought Green back for the same amount he would have received through his original player option.
The new contract runs only through the 2026-27 season and does not contain a no-trade clause.
Green cannot be dealt immediately because he signed the contract during free agency, but he is expected to become trade eligible on December 15.
That would give Golden State sufficient time to assess its position before the February deadline.
“It felt like this has been coming for a while,” Thompson said.
“The way Dunleavy was talking, and the way they positioned it, this feels like, ‘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.’”
Golden State Faces an Uncomfortable Decision
Moving Green would carry far greater significance than an ordinary deadline trade.
The 36-year-old has been a central figure in all four of Golden State’s championships during the Stephen Curry era, providing the defence, playmaking and emotional intensity that helped define the dynasty.
Trading him for draft capital or an expiring contract would effectively acknowledge that the franchise no longer believes its ageing core can win another championship.
Golden State has already entered an uncertain period.
The Warriors missed the 2026 playoffs and were unable to land the major offseason addition they wanted. Jimmy Butler’s serious knee injury has also complicated their immediate championship hopes.
Green, Curry and several members of the supporting cast are approaching the final stages of their careers, leaving management to decide whether it should continue chasing short-term success or begin preparing for the future.
If the Warriors remain outside the playoff picture when the deadline approaches, Green’s expiring US$27.7 million salary could become useful in a larger trade.
A Trade Would Not Be Easy
Calling Green’s contract tradable does not mean Golden State would receive a major return.
Green remains an outstanding defensive organiser and a valuable playmaker, but his age, salary and occasionally volatile disciplinary history could limit the number of interested teams.
Contenders may value his championship experience, particularly if Golden State is prepared to accept a modest return.
However, surrendering meaningful draft capital for a player on an expiring contract would represent a considerable gamble unless Green provided assurances about his future.
The Warriors must also consider what trading him would do to Curry.
The pair has spent more than a decade together and remains closely connected after building one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. Removing Green during the season could make Golden State less competitive while Curry is still capable of producing at an elite level.
That is why any decision is likely to depend heavily on the team’s record.
Yahoo Headline Contains a Salary Error
There is also an important factual issue with the syndicated story.
Its headline describes Green as a “US$227 million” player, while the article claims he has earned US$277 million across his Warriors career.
Those figures are not interchangeable and neither represents the value of his current contract.
The only number directly relevant to his immediate trade situation is the one-year, US$27.7 million agreement he signed in July.
Regardless of the career earnings discrepancy, the central claim remains clear.
Green has not been placed on the trade block, but his contract gives Golden State the power to move him if the season deteriorates.
After four championships and more than a decade beside Curry, the end of the Warriors dynasty may not arrive through retirement.
It could arrive at the trade deadline.
