At the start of the season, the Warriors finished 10th in the West with a 15-14 record, and their performance can be broken down into three periods. In the eight games they started the season, the Warriors went 6-2, but every win was hard-won. They lost 12 of the next 16 games, Curry's efficiency declined, Klay and Wiggins didn't shoot well, and Green's behavior also sparked controversy and was suspended by the league, resulting in a decline in the team's overall competitiveness.
However, in the last six games, the Warriors seem to have found a new lease of life with Wiggins moved to the bench due to Green's indefinite suspension. They started with a five-game winning streak to get back on track, with Klay Thompson excelling in this streak, averaging 257 points, shooting a staggering percentage of 3-pointers, three-pointers, and 100% from the free-throw line!Young player Podzemski has also been outstanding during this five-game winning streak, averaging 118 points, 64 rebounds, 46 assists and 14 steals. Wiggins' performance off the bench is also picking up. The Warriors have done a great job of grinding in with new and old players, and Green doesn't seem to be needed much anymore.
However, today's loss to the defending champion Nuggets exposed the Warriors' shortcomings in roster depth and interior strength.
In the most recent game, Green was fouled again, leading to a ban from the league. According to prominent journalist Woj, Green could be suspended for 11-13 games. Notably, the Warriors' performance has improved despite the loss of Green, and they have a 5-1 record to remain firmly in the play-in roster. Considering that Green is almost a negative effect on the Warriors at the moment, some American** have started to propose some potential options for the Warriors to trade Green, hoping that these trades will help the Warriors get back into championship contention.
One option would be for the Warriors to send Green in exchange for the Mavericks' Derrick Lively, Tim Hardaway Jr. and a 2028 first-round pick. However, the deal is not very likely, as the Mavericks value young Lively, and while Green's arrival could improve the team's defense, Green's fiery personality could have a negative impact on the team. Considering that the current leader of the team is Doncic, it is likely that he will not tolerate the presence of a controversial player like Green on the team.
Another option is for the Warriors to send Green, Payton Jr., Poziemsky, and two first-round picks in 2026 and 2028 in exchange for Timberwolves Towns.
Despite the Warriors coming up with a lucrative trade list, the Timberwolves are currently No. 1 in the West and their roster is in good chemistry, so it's likely they won't be impressed by this deal. The Timberwolves are already one of the best defensive teams in the Western Conference, and they aren't interested in defensive players like Green and Payton Jr. On the other hand, the Timberwolves are lacking in offense, so it's unlikely that they'll give up their offensive core to embrace Towns. In addition, while Towns can solve the Warriors' lack of offense inside, it can't completely replace Green's role on the defensive end.
In the third trade, the Warriors traded Green and Jackson Davis in exchange for the Heat's Duncan Robinson, Kylale Martin and a 2027 second-round pick. The Heat have a decent season and are secure a playoff spot. Despite their need to bolster the roster, it's more important to find a more consistent scorer for Butler, and Green clearly doesn't fit that requirement. The Heat have never had a shortage of tough guys, and they believe that players like Green can be acquired by developing them in-house rather than spending a lot of money on trades.
In the second trade, the Warriors sent Green and a 2026 first-round pick in exchange for the Pistons' Bogdanovic and Isaiah Livers.
The deal has some appeal for the Pistons. They hope to rekindle the team's energy by getting Green, especially when it comes to interior defense, and the combination of Green and Stewart will be a nightmare for the rest of the league. In addition, the Pistons are in desperate need of a player with a desire to win, and Green is exactly the man they need to bring experience and a winning culture to the team.
On the other hand, the Warriors intend to send Green, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick in exchange for the Lakers' Hachimura, Vanderbilt, and Reddish. The Lakers are currently in poor form and have slipped to the brink of the play-in tournament, and they desperately need a trade to improve their record. However, if traded according to this scheme, the Lakers' losses would be huge. While Green can improve the Lakers' defense to some extent, losing so many shooters will put the Lakers in trouble on the offensive end, and the team's roster depth will also suffer. According to a reporter in the Bay Area, if the Warriors want to trade Green, only the Lakers in the league can let Green play with peace of mind, because James is the only star who can suppress Green. Therefore, a more appropriate trade option might be for the Warriors to trade Green for Vincent and Hachimura.