In a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA, the Golden State Warriors pulled off a blockbuster trade last season, landing two-way superstar Jimmy Butler to bolster their championship aspirations. The acquisition was a clear signal: the Warriors are all-in on maximizing the prime years of their dynamic duo, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. However, despite the high expectations, their playoff run was cut short in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Curry sidelined for the entire series after an injury in Game 1. The sting of that defeat still lingers, but as the new NBA season looms just six weeks away, Draymond Green is sounding a defiant tone.
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In a recent closed-door workout video alongside Butler, Green didn’t hold back. “We about six weeks out, right where I need to be, baby… And we getting that [explicit] this year,” he declared with his trademark intensity. The message was clear: the Warriors, with Butler and a healthy Curry, are ready to reclaim their place atop the NBA.
Last season, Green proved he’s still one of the league’s premier defenders. Appearing in 68 games, he averaged 9.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.5 steals in 29.2 minutes per game. His impact on the defensive end earned him a third-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting and a ninth All-Defensive First Team nod. Now 35 and entering his 14th season—all spent alongside Curry with the Warriors—Green remains the heart and soul of the team, bringing unmatched energy and leadership.
The road to a championship won’t be easy. The Western Conference is a gauntlet, with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder returning a near-identical roster, the Houston Rockets adding Kevin Durant to their arsenal, and the Minnesota Timberwolves still posing a formidable threat. Add to that the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers, now featuring Luka Doncic alongside LeBron James, and a revamped Los Angeles Clippers squad, and it’s clear the Warriors will need to be at their absolute best.
The Warriors’ success will hinge on two critical factors: keeping their stars healthy and getting meaningful contributions from their supporting cast. Curry, one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, and Butler, a relentless two-way force, form a potent offensive tandem. Green’s defensive prowess and playmaking tie it all together. But injuries, like the one that derailed Curry in last year’s playoffs, could loom large.
Beyond the big three, the Warriors will lean on a talented group of role players. Buddy Hield brings elite shooting, while young talents Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Quinten Post, and Trayce Jackson-Davis are poised to take steps forward. Jonathan Kuminga, a breakout candidate, remains a question mark as he has yet to sign a contract extension, but his athleticism and scoring could be a game-changer if he stays.
With championship experience and two of the league’s top offensive stars in Curry and Butler, the Warriors have the pieces to make a deep playoff run. Green’s bold proclamation after the workout with Butler signals a team that’s locked in and hungry. The question isn’t whether they have the talent—it’s whether they can stay healthy and gel as a unit in a brutally competitive West.