The Golden State Warriors found a spark with their small-ball lineup last season, leaning heavily on Draymond Green as a small-ball center to fuel their surprising second-round playoff run. The strategy worked wonders down the stretch, with Green anchoring a relentless defense and facilitating the Warriors’ signature fast-paced offense. But as the dust settled after their playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, one glaring truth emerged: Green was physically drained, and the Warriors’ small-ball gamble may not be built for the long haul.
Green’s role as a small-ball five isn’t new—he’s been the heart of Golden State’s identity for years, a versatile defensive maestro who can guard every position and ignite the offense with his playmaking. But last season’s heavier reliance on him at center exposed cracks in the plan. By the time the Warriors faced the towering Timberwolves in the playoffs, Green’s body was screaming for relief. The physical toll of battling bigger, stronger centers night after night was undeniable.
The Warriors, their fans, and even analysts around the league know that starting Green at center isn’t a sustainable path to championship contention. The NBA is evolving, and size is king. As former NBA champion Channing Frye boldly pointed out on a recent episode of the Road Trippin’ podcast, the Warriors’ small-ball obsession could spell their doom.
Frye didn’t mince words when asked for a hot take on the Warriors’ future. “I think the Warriors are going to blow it up mid-season,” he declared, pointing to their lack of size in a league that’s trending toward towering lineups. “Look at the trend of where the NBA is going. OKC is a very tall team. Cleveland is a tall team. Boston’s a big team. Denver’s a big team. Minnesota’s a tall team. Houston is extremely tall. Golden State is still playing small ball—and I don’t know if that works anymore. You need a legit big man.”
Frye’s words hit like a thunderbolt for Warriors fans, who have long celebrated the team’s small-ball revolution. While some may scoff at the idea of Golden State “blowing it up,” few can argue with Frye’s core point: the Warriors need more size to compete with the league’s physical juggernauts. Without it, Green’s burden grows heavier, and the team’s championship aspirations could crumble under the weight.
The Warriors’ style of play—built on speed, spacing, and defensive versatility—demands a delicate balance. Adding a traditional seven-footer who clogs the paint and can’t shoot or switch defensively would choke their offense and betray their identity. On the other hand, a slow-footed big man who can’t keep up with the perimeter-oriented game of today’s NBA would be a liability. Golden State needs functional size—a big man who can protect the rim, hold his own against physical opponents, and still fit into their fluid system.
This is where veteran big man Al Horford enters the conversation. At 39 years old and 6’9”, Horford may not be the tallest center, but his skill set is tailor-made for the Warriors. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting, combined with his defensive IQ, would allow Green to slide back to his natural power forward role, easing the physical strain. Horford’s experience playing alongside Kristaps Porzingis in Boston also opens the door for intriguing double-big lineups with young talents like Quinten Post or Trayce Jackson-Davis, giving Golden State the flexibility to mix and match without sacrificing their core principles.
The Warriors know they can’t keep running Green into the ground at center, and the rest of the league is watching closely. With teams like Boston, Denver, and Minnesota dominating with size and physicality, Golden State’s small-ball gamble feels like a relic of a bygone era. The front office is reportedly active this offseason, with Horford as a prime target to address their glaring need for a true big man. But time is ticking. If they don’t act swiftly, Frye’s prediction of a mid-season implosion could become a reality.
Warriors fans are no strangers to bold moves and unexpected turnarounds. This team has defied the odds before, rewriting the NBA’s rulebook with their revolutionary style. But as the league gets bigger and tougher, Golden State must adapt or risk being left behind. The question isn’t whether they can afford to add size—it’s whether they can afford not to.