The Golden State Warriors, fresh off a 2024-25 season derailed by Stephen Curry’s injury but bolstered by Jimmy Butler’s trade, are eyeing another blockbuster move to reclaim NBA glory, per Athlon Sports. Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz names Sacramento Kings’ star Domantas Sabonis as the Warriors’ top “dream trade target,” suggesting a swap for Draymond Green to pair Sabonis with Curry and Butler, per May 28, 2025, report. With Sabonis’ elite rebounding, passing, and 41.7% three-point shooting, the idea sounds tempting—but could it be a $140 million mistake? This analysis dives into why trading for Sabonis threatens Golden State’s defensive identity, financial flexibility, and championship hopes, and why alternatives like Derrick White or Coby White are smarter fits.
The Warriors’ 2024-25 season showcased their potential, with a post-All-Star break offensive rating of 118.4 (7th) and a league-best defensive rating of 109.3, per Athlon Sports. The trade for Jimmy Butler at the 2025 deadline, costing Jonathan Kuminga and picks, solidified their contender status, per ESPN. However, Curry’s calf injury in March 2025 limited them to a Play-In exit, fueling offseason trade rumors, per Yahoo Sports. Swartz’s proposal to trade Draymond Green for Sabonis, a three-time rebounding leader owed $140 million through 2028, has sparked debate, with X posts like @WarriorsMuse warning it “destroys our defense.” This analysis explores Sabonis’ appeal, the trade’s risks, and why Golden State must avoid this costly gamble.
Sabonis’ Appeal: A Tempting but Flawed Fit
Domantas Sabonis, a 29-year-old All-NBA center, led the league with 13.8 rebounds per game and averaged 8.2 assists, shooting 41.7% from three in 2024-25, trailing only Nikola Jokić among passing bigs, per ESPN. Swartz argues, per Bleacher Report, that Sabonis would form a dynamic offensive trio with Curry (26.4 PPG) and Butler (25.1 PPG), offering playmaking and spacing, per NBA.com. His ability to run pick-and-rolls and facilitate from the high post could enhance Golden State’s motion offense, as seen in his 73 double-doubles in 2024-25, per StatMuse. X posts like @Sactown1140 praise Sabonis as “the perfect third star,” noting his 20-point, 10-assist games. Yet, his fit with the Warriors raises red flags, particularly on defense and financially.
The Defensive Disaster: Losing Draymond Green
Trading Draymond Green, the Warriors’ defensive anchor and 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, for Sabonis would gut Golden State’s identity, per Athlon Sports. Green’s 7.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.4 steals in 2024-25, plus his play-calling, were pivotal to their league-best 109.3 defensive rating post-All-Star, per NBA.com. Sabonis, despite 0.9 blocks per game, struggles in rim protection and pick-and-roll defense, with Sacramento ranking 20th defensively (113.7), per ESPN. X posts from @GSWReddit warn, “Sabonis can’t replace Draymond’s IQ—our defense collapses.” Green’s absence in 2022-23 saw the Warriors’ defense drop to 15th (113.4), per StatMuse, underscoring his irreplaceable role. Swapping him for Sabonis risks turning Golden State into an offense-heavy, defensively frail team.
Financial Fallout: A $140M Anchor
Sabonis’ four-year, $187 million contract, with $140 million remaining through 2028, would cripple the Warriors’ flexibility, per Spotrac. With Curry ($55.8M in 2025-26) and Butler ($48.8M), adding Sabonis’ $42.2M pushes Golden State deep into the luxury tax, limiting roster depth, per Yahoo Sports. The Warriors already face $178 million in committed salaries for 2025-26, per ESPN, and trading Green’s $24M deal for Sabonis worsens the crunch. X posts like @WarriorsNationCP argue, “We’d have no cap space for a bench—look at Phoenix’s mess.” The Suns’ $206M payroll in 2024-25, with Beal, Durant, and Booker, led to a shallow roster and a first-round exit, per Bleacher Report, a cautionary tale for Golden State.
Better Alternatives: Derrick White and Coby White
Swartz’s other trade targets, Derrick White and Coby White, offer better fits, per Athlon Sports. Derrick White, a two-way guard, averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks for Boston in 2024-25, with elite defense (44.1% opponent FG), per NBA.com. His $20M salary and playmaking complement Curry and Butler without sacrificing defense, per ESPN. Coby White, Chicago’s breakout star, posted 19.1 points and 5.1 assists, shooting 37.6% from three, per StatMuse. At 25, his $12M salary and upside make him a cost-effective addition, per Yahoo Sports. X posts like @DubNationHQ favor White, noting, “Derrick’s defense keeps us elite.” Both avoid the defensive and financial pitfalls of Sabonis.
Risks and Broader Implications
The Sabonis trade risks more than defense and money—it could disrupt team chemistry. Green’s leadership, evident in his 2024-25 altercation defending Curry, is a cultural cornerstone, per Heavy.com. Sabonis, while skilled, has never advanced past the first playoff, raising doubts about his clutch impact, per ESPN. The Warriors’ 2022 title relied on Green’s versatility, not a traditional center, per Bleacher Report. Pursuing Sabonis could also alienate fans, with @GSWFansOnly on X calling it “a betrayal of our dynasty.” Trading for guards like White preserves Golden State’s identity and extends their contention window, per legacy.
The Warriors’ hunger for another title is undeniable, but chasing Domantas Sabonis is a $140 million trap that could unravel their dynasty. Trading Draymond Green for an offensive star with defensive flaws and a massive contract sacrifices Golden State’s defensive soul and financial future. Smarter targets like Derrick White or Coby White offer better fits, aligning with the Warriors’ two-way ethos. As the offseason looms, Golden State must balance ambition with caution. Should the Warriors risk it all for Sabonis, or stick to their championship blueprint?