The Golden State Warriors face a critical inflection point for the 2026–27 NBA season, with veteran forward Draymond Green emerging as a potential trade candidate ahead of the February trade deadline if the team underperforms, according to league reports.
As the franchise prepares for another high-stakes campaign, the front office holds approximately $100 million in expiring contracts, giving management the financial flexibility to drastically pivot its roster. While franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry remains firmly off the trade block as a franchise lifer, long-term contributors like Green and Jimmy Butler occupy expiring deals that could spark a complete organizational reset if Golden State struggles out of the gate.
Marcus Thompson II, who has covered the Warriors for more than a decade as a beat writer and columnist for The Athletic, raised the possibility of a major roster teardown during an appearance on “The Kevin O’Connor Show.” According to Thompson, the upcoming trade deadline will likely clarify the trajectory of the franchise’s aging core.
“I think this might be the time,” Thompson said on the program, as reported by outlets tracking the discussion. “Right now, we’re gonna figure out what happens next. I think by the trade deadline, we’ll know. This is gonna be tough, and we could really, fully be saying goodbye. Draymond could be traded at the trade deadline.”
Financial Flexibility and Expiring Contracts
The structural composition of Golden State’s roster heavily influences potential trade discussions. The front office manages roughly $100 million tied directly to expiring player contracts, a massive pool of movable salary that allows the organization to either reinforce its lineup or completely dismantle the veteran foundation. With Klay Thompson having already departed in previous seasons, parting ways with Green would signal the definitive close of a championship era that yielded four NBA titles.
NBA insider Kevin O’Connor also emphasized the stark reality facing the front office during an analysis of the team’s upcoming schedule. According to reporting highlighted by Fadeaway World, O’Connor noted that while Curry is protected by his status as a ticket-selling icon and organizational anchor, the rest of the veteran rotation is subject to market realities if the team fails to secure a playoff-tier rhythm.
“Steph ain’t going. Steph ain’t going nowhere. Steph’s a lifer,” O’Connor reported. “Plus, you gotta sell the tickets, man. Like, where are you going? Steph still provides one of the top experiences in the NBA, just to take in, right? But if this thing doesn’t work, they could make some decisions where you’re like, ‘Okay, we’re gonna drastically change this thing. Jimmy Butler’s on a one-year deal. Draymond Green’s on a one-year deal.’ They’re openly saying, ‘We have a hundred million in expiring contracts. We got flexibility.’ Those are the core players, and Klay’s already gone. If Draymond leaves, there’s a sense you could feel like they just might start this thing completely over.”
Green’s Value and Roster Complications
Now 36 years old, Green signed a one-year, $27.7 million contract extension over the summer. While he remains one of the league’s most vocal leaders and impactful defensive anchors, his offensive production has tapered. Last season, Green averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 41.8% from the field.
Because of his substantial salary and veteran status, acquiring Green as an expensive rental would require interested contenders to weigh short-term defensive upgrades against future asset management. Analysts suggest that a win-now franchise seeking defensive toughness might pursue Green without giving up premium draft capital, though the return for Golden State would likely focus on financial relief and secondary assets rather than blue-chip building blocks.
Complicating matters further is the status of Jimmy Butler. Acquired from the Miami Heat at the 2025 trade deadline, Butler turned 37 and is currently working his way back from a torn ACL suffered last season. With Butler expected to remain sidelined until late January or early February, the Warriors must navigate the first half of the schedule relying heavily on their depth and younger contributors.
Transition to the Next Generation
Head coach Steve Kerr and the Golden State coaching staff have actively integrated younger talent into the system to insulate the franchise against the eventual decline of its veteran core. The front office injected fresh potential into the rotation through the selection of No. 11 overall draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg, whose development remains a focal point for the organization’s long-term planning.
If the Warriors maintain a competitive standing in the Western Conference, the front office is expected to hold its core intact to maximize the final competitive window of Curry’s career. However, a prolonged slump before the February trade deadline could force general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and team governors to embrace an accelerated rebuild, turning what was once a perennial championship contender into a blank slate.
