Draymond Green’s struggles this season have been impossible to ignore, painting a grim picture for the Golden State Warriors. His shooting percentage has plummeted to 40.6%, marking a six-year low, while his assist-to-turnover ratio sits at a dismal 1.9—a 12-year nadir. Across the board, his impact metrics are in freefall, and the reality may be even more dire than the headlines suggest.
Before delving into the broader implications of his decline, it’s essential to dissect what the numbers truly reveal about Green’s on-court presence.
Green’s On/Off Stats: A Tale of Two Seasons
Through November, Green topped the Warriors in plus-minus with a +100, according to NBA.com data. However, since December 1, he’s posted a team-worst -155, highlighting a stark reversal.
The following table illustrates this dramatic shift:
| Period | Green On Court | Green Off Court | Net Swing |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 21 Games | +100 | -80 | +180 |
| Dec. 1 to Present | -155 | +212 | -367 |
| Total | -55 | +132 | -187 |
These figures raise serious questions about Green’s viability. Recently, suggestions have emerged that the Warriors should shift him to a bench role, but the data prompts an even tougher query: Has he become unplayable altogether?
Currently, with the team ravaged by injuries, Golden State has little choice but to keep him in the rotation. Head coach Steve Kerr appears reluctant to bench him, possibly to avoid fueling a media frenzy. Yet, Kerr and the Warriors’ front office must grapple with Green’s diminishing contributions. With a $27.7 million player option looming for next season, Green is likely to remain on the roster, forcing Kerr to unearth lineups where he can deliver positive scoring margins.
What If Green Plays Exclusively with Curry?
Since December 1, pairings featuring both Green and Stephen Curry haven’t been catastrophic, but that’s faint praise at best.
| Lineup | Plus/Minus (Dec. 1 to Present) |
|---|---|
| Green + Curry On | -12 |
| Curry On (without Green) | +34 |
Green has historically thrived alongside Curry, and for much of his career, the synergy was mutual. However, recent trends show Curry performing better without Green. Here’s how Curry has fared with other key teammates since December 1:
| Two-Player Lineup | Plus/Minus (Dec. 1 to Present) |
|---|---|
| Curry and Melton | +65 |
| Curry and Santos | +38 |
| Curry and Moody | +25 |
| Curry and Butler | +25 |
| Curry and Podz | +18 |
| Curry and Horford | +17 |
| Curry and Green | -12 |
It explains why Kerr initially aligned nearly all of Green’s minutes with Curry’s before Curry’s injury. This approach kept the team close to breaking even during Green’s stints. But Kerr must now confront a painful truth: Is Green hindering Curry’s effectiveness? If so, what does that mean for Green’s future with the franchise?
Warriors’ Bleak Offseason Options
Should Green exercise his option, the Warriors could explore trades. His trade value is at an all-time low, but attaching first-round picks might sweeten a deal to acquire meaningful assets. However, owner Joe Lacob’s reluctance to part with future draft capital—unless for exceptional returns—makes this path unlikely. Green simply won’t command that kind of haul.
Alternatively, the team could retool the roster to maximize Green’s strengths (and the group’s overall potential). This might involve Green opting out and re-signing to a multi-year deal with higher total value but lower annual salary. For instance, a two-year, $34 million contract would drop his 2026-27 cap hit to $17 million, freeing up $10.7 million in flexibility.
Green’s willingness to agree remains uncertain, but even if he does, the question lingers: How to deploy that extra cap space effectively?
Such a restructure could unlock the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($15.1 million), potentially enough to retain De’Anthony Melton. Beyond that, improvement options dwindle. The Warriors were already a piece away from contention even with a healthy lineup featuring Curry, Green, Jimmy Butler, and Melton. Butler’s return post-All-Star break won’t change much; it’ll essentially be this season’s squad with added wear and tear.
This setup spells a wasted campaign ahead, underscoring the disaster unfolding in the Bay. Green’s fading impact isn’t just a personal slump—it’s a franchise crossroads with no easy exits.