During a recent segment on ESPN’s Inside the NBA, Green delivered a blunt assessment of the Cavaliers‘ current playoff deficit. “Nobody from Cleveland is stepping up. There’s no leadership. Who’s walking in that locker room saying what you have to do and what we need to do?” Draymond asked.

The leadership void is especially glaring despite efforts from veteran stars like James Harden to keep the faith alive after Cleveland fell behind the Knicks 0-3 in the series. Harden leadership hasn’t translated into on-court results, prompting Charles Barkley to suggest that a legendary figure might be the only one capable of righting the ship.

Who is the player Barkley wants in Cleveland?

Barkley didn’t hesitate to reveal who could solve the Cavaliers’ identity crisis. “Well I got an answer for that question. That’d be LeBron James,” Barkley declared, suggesting that the franchise requires the unique gravity and postseason experience that only James could provide.

The idea of bringing back an older player to stabilize a young core could become a hot topic, especially as Stephen A. Smith calls for LeBron James‘ return after Cleveland’s playoff disaster. While some critics argue that the Cavaliers should focus on their future, Smith and Barkley seem to agree that the current roster’s lack of accountability can only be fixed by a veteran.

Without a significant change in leadership or a miraculous shift in Game 4, the Cavaliers face the grim reality of an early exit and a summer full of difficult questions. If Cleveland cannot find an internal voice to rally the squad, their chances of returning to championship contention will remain slim.

According to Marc J. Spears, Green told Inside the NBA that he did not see himself in another uniform, but the franchise also had to feel the same way. What he made clear was that he wanted to stay and that if the Warriors were fair and wanted him, he would work fairly to remain with the organization.

It should be remembered that the star forward had the option to exercise his $27.6 million player option to stay in Golden State. If he declined his player option, Green would become an unrestricted free agent. The former Defensive Player of the Year had never hinted that he wanted to leave the Warriors. And if he stayed in the Bay Area, he would likely retire as a member of the Warriors.

Green updated Kerr’s situation

Draymond Green previously said on his podcast that he believed Steve Kerr would not return as head coach. Green changed his tune on Wednesday. During the same appearance, Green said he now believed Kerr would be back.

“I think and hope he’s coming back,” Green said. “I don’t know more than anyone else in the world knows outside of what I do know is he wants to coach.” The Warriors’ brain trust and Kerr had reportedly met twice during the offseason. The fact that those meetings were taking place and there had not been reports of major friction suggested he would return.

Green recognized Kerr’s impact on him

Green stood by his criticism that Kerr hindered his offensive game, but he also reiterated that Kerr had done a lot for him as a player and person. And with good reason, considering they spent an entire era together in the franchise and won four NBA championships.

“I think every basketball player in the world has some gripe that they wish their coach would have done,” Green said. “… But make no mistake about it, I also said all of the incredible things, how much of a better man he’s made me.”

Green was a much more feared offensive player during the 2015-16 season, when he averaged 14.0 points and shot 38.8% from three-point range. Since then, he rarely came close to those numbers again. It was impossible to determine who carried the most responsibility for that decline, but regardless, Stephen Curry, Green, and Kerr led the Warriors to four NBA championships thanks to their chemistry. That was what mattered most.

“I hope he’s our coach next year. You want my opinion? I think not… it felt like that was it,” Green admitted on the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show. Those words have sent shockwaves through the Bay Area, fueling fears that a historic era is nearing its end.

The current climate in Golden State is a far cry from the heights of the last decade. Despite an incredible tenure that includes four NBA championships and six Finals appearances, the architect of the Warriors‘ dynasty appears increasingly likely to part ways with the franchise.

Kerr recently delivered a poignant message to Stephen Curry and Green, hinting that the “Big Three” era may have finally run its course. Now, the organization faces the daunting prospect of searching for a new leader to navigate the next chapter of Warriors basketball.

Kerr’s lifeline to Draymond Green

In the high-stakes world of the NBA, there are moments when even the most seasoned veterans contemplate walking away. Green revealed that he reached that breaking point multiple times during a tumultuous season, only to be pulled back from the edge by his head coach.

“There were several times this year where I thought about quitting, and each time, he’d just say the right thing to relight that fire and make you want to go again,” Green shared, highlighting the deep psychological bond between the two.

A legacy defined: Kerr’s Golden State resume

Regardless of how the coming weeks unfold, Kerr’s 12-year run in the Bay Area remains unmatched in the modern era. He didn’t just win; he served as the architect of the greatest shooting revolution in basketball history, forever changing how the game is played at every level.

Here is a look at the Hall of Fame-caliber numbers Kerr has compiled during his time with the Warriors:

Head coach Steve Kerr was caught on camera speaking to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green with a message that sounded deeply personal: “I don’t know what’s gonna happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you. I appreciate you.” It didn’t feel like routine postgame emotion. It felt like reflection, maybe even closure.

For years, this trio helped build one of the most iconic dynasties in NBA history, winning four championships and redefining how the game is played. But time has slowly caught up. Attempts to refresh the roster under general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., including bets on younger players like Jonathan Kuminga, haven’t delivered the expected leap. This season, everything unraveled further with a key injury to Jimmy Butler, leaving the team without enough firepower to sustain a real run.

End of an era for the Warriors?

There’s no easy way to frame it, but the signs are there. Steph Curry, now 38, remains elite, yet the margin for error is thinner than ever. Even if he returns next season, the window is no longer wide open for a championship as the Western Conference is loaded.

Draymond Green’s situation adds another layer of uncertainty. Entering the final year of his contract, his name has already surfaced in trade conversations. A move involving him would not just be a roster adjustment. It would be a symbolic shift away from everything this team once represented.

Maybe Kerr’s words were just emotion in the moment. Or maybe they were something more. A recognition that what this group built together is no longer guaranteed to continue. Either way, it felt different. And sometimes, those small moments say everything.

Power forward Draymond Green addressed concerns from fans about the team potentially bringing Curry back just days before the play-in tournament. “There’s a lot of fear growing that Steph Curry might not have enough runway for the play-in game… I don’t think Steph’s getting shut down for the season… If Steph is capable of playing, he’s gonna play,” said Green, per The Draymond Green Show on X.

The Warriors had been trying and failing to weather the storm with Curry sidelined due to injury, falling to four games below .500 after a recent loss against the San Antonio Spurs. The positive news was that Curry was expected to return to the lineup that weekend when the Warriors took the floor against the Houston Rockets.

Difficult moments for the Warriors

The Warriors need to climb at least a few spots to improve their play-in positioning. They are likely to win two straight elimination games to secure a playoff matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which is far from ideal for a 38-year-old Curry who had not played in two months while recovering from a knee issue.

However, as Green pointed out, the team would not have brought Curry back or risked his long-term health unless they had felt he was ready to play.

The Warriors sat in tenth place in the Western Conference and are projected to face the Portland Trail Blazers on the road in the play-in if the standings hold. In the meantime, they are set to return to action Thursday night in a challenging home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

What did Curry say about his return?

Curry had provided updates on his condition, and there was significant attention surrounding his timeline. He made it clear that nothing was certain and that he did not know how his knee would respond, suggesting he was not fully ready.

“It felt great. I’m checking the boxes,” Curry told reporters after the session. “But with this, it’s always unpredictable. I don’t know how the knee will respond because it hasn’t responded well in past attempts to get to this 5 on 5 level.” Curry had been sidelined for two months, dealing with a setback in a season marked by injuries.

“I hated it… and I absolutely loved it,” Green said of Wembanyama’s public MVP pitch. “I hated it because a player of that caliber should never have to vocalize his own case just to get the media to open their eyes. Until he said it, nobody in the mainstream was factoring in that he is literally defending entire teams by himself.”

Green noted that while he resented the necessity of the statement, he admired the Frenchman’s boldness in calling out the pundits. “He basically told the world, ‘If you’re not looking at what I’m doing on defense, you’re not watching the game,’“ Warriors‘ star added.

Wembanyama has centered his MVP campaign on his defensive dominance, arguing that the game is 50% defense, a philosophy he has backed up with historic rim protection throughout the regular season.

League elites take notice

Green isn’t the only heavyweight Weighing in on “Wemby-mania.” Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic offered a daunting premonition about the San Antonio Spurs’ phenom.

“He is changing basketball,” Jokic admitted. “I’m glad that I’ll probably retire before Wemby holds the entire league in a chokehold.”

Meanwhile, former NBA player Rashad McCants took it a step further, planting his flag firmly in the rookie’s camp. “Wembanyama is the CLEAR MVP over Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander],” McCants stated, echoing the growing sentiment that Wembanyama’s two-way impact outweighs traditional scoring-first candidates.

A historic defensive stretch for Wemby

Wembanyama isn’t just talking the talk; he’s erasing shots at a record-shattering pace. Over his last 10 outings, the Spurs’ center is averaging a staggering 26.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG, and 3.7 BPG.

His most recent masterclass came on March 25 against Memphis, where he stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, 15 rebounds, 7 blocks, and 3 steals in a 98–85 San Antonio victory.

“Wemby is this otherworldly thing, man. Like, I’m not even going to say otherworldly person, he is just this otherworldly thing, and everything that he does is going to take you like four people to do. Like, he is that special of a player. I think if he keeps this up, it’s going to be him who has to go snatch the MVP award.”

“Wemby’s been incredible, man. He does it on both ends of the floor. Talking about, ‘Is Wemby the best two-way player in the league?’ No, he’s not. He’s something else. Putting him in a category with everybody else, it just ain’t… He’s something else, we’re just gonna put it that way. He’s different from every player.” Green said.

Why Wembanyama stands out as a two-way player

The Warriors forward is not usually quick to praise young stars around the league, which makes his comments about Wembanyama even more notable. His production supports the praise, as the Spurs star is averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.0 blocks this season.

Thanks to his height and growing strength, he already dominates the paint, yet he is also a skilled shooter who averages 5.3 three-point attempts per game. His combination of size and versatility has made him one of the most remarkable talents the NBA has seen, and he has played at a Defensive Player of the Year level since his rookie season.

Beyond the numbers, Wembanyama has been viewed as a generational talent, a towering presence with the ball skills of a guard, impressive shooting ability and a style that is not limited by his height. That combination has helped place the Spurs among the teams to watch as they continue building toward future title contention.

The strong support around Wembanyama

Wembanyama has also been complemented by a strong supporting cast with room to grow. DeAaron Fox has provided energetic two-way play at point guard and is averaging 19.1 points and 6.4 assists, while Stephon Castle has quickly entered the conversation as one of the most promising two-way players in the league, averaging 16.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists this NBA season.

The deal also shifted attention away from Green, who had been mentioned frequently in discussions surrounding a potential pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Still, Green addressed the Porzingis trade following Golden State’s 101–97 comeback win over the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center on Thursday night.

Speaking with reporters, via NBC Sports Bay Area & California, the veteran forward made his feelings clear about the addition. “I like it, adding more size, more rim protection, more shooting. Porzingis, you switch guards on him, he really punishes them. He was the missing piece to a Boston championship,” Green said.

From a basketball standpoint, the trade fits the Warriors’ structure well. Green continues to anchor the defense and facilitate ball movement on offense, while Porzingis adds rim protection and floor spacing, which the team has not consistently had since its 2022 NBA championship run.

The qualities that will elevate the team

Green also explained how playing alongside another true rim protector could enhance his own defensive impact. That element could prove crucial for the Warriors, especially with the need for stability in the frontcourt alongside veterans like Al Horford and depth options such as Quentin Post.

“For me personally, I love when there’s another rim protector on the floor. It unlocks everything I can do defensively. If you just take off, you break the scheme. With another rim protector, you can take those chances,” Green said.

Still, the biggest question surrounding Porzingis remains his health. He has played in just 17 games this season and has not appeared since January 7, a reality that weighs heavily when projecting his long-term impact with the Golden State Warriors.

Porzingis’ numbers

Before being sidelined, Porzingis averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game. His ability to stretch the floor forces defenders out of the paint and could open valuable space for Stephen Curry and the Warriors’ perimeter attack.

The Greek Freak has previously expressed his desire to play for a legitimate contender, and with the Milwaukee Bucks currently struggling at 18–28, a split seems increasingly possible. While several franchises are monitoring the situation, the Warriors are considered frontrunners in a deal that would likely require Green’s $25.8 million contract to satisfy NBA trade rules.

However, the 35-year-old forward insists he is not losing sleep over the possibility of leaving the Bay Area. “I’ve been here for 14 years,” Green said following the Warriors’ loss to the Pistons on Friday night. “I have no reason to sit and worry about leaving. But if I’m traded, that’s part of the business. I ain’t losing no sleep, though. I slept great last night”.

Green further emphasized that should a trade become a reality, he remains a professional willing to assist the organization in its transition. “I’m not going to go up there and be like, ‘Yo, so tell me what y’all doing.’ I’ll be the same as I always am. My phone is always on. I’m always willing to collaborate in any way I can,” Green added.

Warriors unlikely to move injured Jimmy Butler

With the February 5 trade deadline approaching, nearly every player on the roster—with the notable exception of Stephen Curry—is viewed as potentially available in a pursuit of Antetokounmpo. However, financial logistics remain the biggest hurdle.

To match Antetokounmpo’s $54.1 million salary, the Warriors would theoretically need to move either Green or Jimmy Butler, who also earns $54.1 million this season. Despite the financial fit, NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the Warriors’ front office are unlikely to trade Butler following his season-ending ACL tear on January 19.

This leaves Green as the primary veteran candidate for a potential blockbuster. However, league sources suggest that the Bucks would require a substantial package beyond the four-time champion—likely including Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody or Buddy Hield, and multiple first-round picks—to finalize a deal of this magnitude.

According to Clutch Points‘ Kenzo Fukuda, Green might be a key piece in a trade deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, aimed at acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo for the rest of the regular season.

The proposed trade features significant assets exchanged between the Warriors and the Bucks:

• Warriors would receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, and Gary Trent Jr.
• Bucks would receive: Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, along with the Warriors’ 2026, 2028, 2030 first-round picks, and a 2032 first-round swap.

In addition to this proposal, rumors have implicated Stephen Curry’s teammate in a separate trade scenario for Antetokounmpo, as the NBA trade deadline approaches and uncertainty surrounding the Greek Freak’s future intensifies.

Potential landing spots for Antetokounmpo

Beyond the Warriors’ rumored interest, other teams are reportedly vying for Antetokounmpo’s talents in the NBA. Of course with a player of his caliber, there are multiple rumors regarding the future for the Bucks’ star.

Henry Abbott of Hoops Hype reports that Antetokounmpo has a preferred list of destinations, which includes the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Additionally, the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, and Atlanta Hawks have emerged as potential suitors. These teams are preparing to make their moves, leaving the decision to Antetokounmpo to select the ideal fit for his career moving forward.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after Sunday’s win that he is hopeful Curry can suit up for the second night of the back-to-back. However, Curry is officially listed as out due to right patellofemoral inflammation, an issue that surfaced earlier this week and continues to be monitored closely by the medical staff.

Draymond Green is also listed as out with a back issue. As part of a season-long workload management plan, Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton are ruled out for the second game of the back-to-back, removing important rotation pieces at a time when Golden State has been gaining momentum.

Jonathan Kuminga remains sidelined with a bone bruise, while Seth Curry is set to miss his 25th consecutive game due to sciatica. The situation is further complicated by Jimmy Butler’s NBA season-ending ACL injury, which has already forced the Warriors to rely heavily on their depth.

Stephen Curry’s recent performance vs Minnesota

Curry has appeared in several back-to-back situations this season and logged just 27 minutes and 38 seconds in Sunday’s blowout win, which could work in Golden State’s favor. The Warriors need every possible victory in the Western Conference playoff race, especially with Butler unavailable for the remainder of the season.

After posting 26 points, two rebounds, seven assists, and four steals against Minnesota on Sunday, Curry would provide a significant boost if he plays. The matchup also carries emotional weight, as the Timberwolves eliminated Golden State from last season’s playoffs following Curry’s injury in that series.

A potentially limited Warriors roster

If Curry and Green are both unavailable, the Warriors’ projected roster would include Brandin Podziemski, Pat Spencer, and LJ Cryer at guard, Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II on the wing, Moses Moody and Gui Santos at forward, and Quinten Post alongside Trayce Jackson-Davis at center, with two-way forward Malevy Leons also available.

The lack of size and depth at the forward positions would be noticeable, but Golden State has shown resilience when short-handed. While a loss would be understandable under these circumstances, the Warriors have consistently competed with energy and discipline, even when key contributors are missing.