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The Golden State Warriors face a difficult question that once seemed impossible. Is it finally time to move on from Draymond Green? Following another controversial ejection, the Warriors must evaluate whether Green’s contributions still outweigh his distractions. Monday night’s 116-113 victory over the Phoenix Suns provided another reason to examine that possibility. Green received two technical fouls early in the third quarter, forcing him into another premature exit. However, something interesting happened after his departure. Golden State rallied from a double-digit deficit and secured its fifth consecutive victory. Furthermore, the Warriors delivered several critical defensive stops without their longtime defensive leader. The performance raises an uncomfortable question for Golden State’s front office. Could the Warriors actually benefit from moving forward without Green?
Another Ejection Creates More Questions
Green’s latest controversy unfolded Monday, November 2, at Chase Center in San Francisco. Phoenix center Khaman Maluach knocked Green to the floor during a physical exchange beneath the basket. Green immediately retaliated by grabbing Maluach and throwing him onto the court. Officials assessed Green a technical foul for the unnecessary contact. Meanwhile, Phoenix forward Dillon Brooks rushed toward Green and confronted him. Both players exchanged words and grabbed each other’s jerseys before officials separated them. Following a review, officials assessed another technical foul against Green and one against Brooks. Consequently, Green received an automatic ejection with approximately ten minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Warriors trailed 67-57 when officials removed Green from the contest. Green finished with four points, four rebounds, and two assists in approximately 17 minutes. Additionally, he recorded a minus-six rating during his time on the floor. The incident marked Green’s first ejection of the 2026-27 season and his 23rd regular-season career ejection. He has also received eight playoff ejections, bringing his combined total to 31. For a veteran with four NBA championships, those numbers represent an alarming disciplinary history.
Golden State Responds Without Its Defensive Leader
The Warriors could have allowed Green’s ejection to destroy their momentum. Instead, they responded with greater urgency and eventually erased Phoenix’s advantage. Stephen Curry sparked the comeback by scoring 18 points during the third quarter. Meanwhile, Brandin Podziemski contributed 14 second-half points to strengthen Golden State’s offensive production. Charles Bassey also delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with a career-high 19 points. However, Golden State’s defensive execution during the closing minutes deserves significant attention. Curry and De’Anthony Melton generated consecutive steals during critical possessions.
Melton also forced Devin Booker into his sixth personal foul, removing Phoenix’s biggest offensive threat. Furthermore, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg rejected Jalen Green’s layup attempt during another important defensive possession. Those plays helped Golden State preserve its narrow advantage. The Warriors ultimately escaped with a 116-113 victory despite Curry missing a late free throw. Phoenix received one final opportunity, but Collin Gillespie missed a desperation attempt. Golden State celebrated its fifth consecutive victory while Green watched the conclusion from the locker room. The Warriors demonstrated that they could defend effectively and win a close game without their defensive anchor.
Has Green Become More of a Liability Than an Asset?
Green has helped Golden State win four NBA championships alongside Curry and Klay Thompson. His defensive intelligence, leadership, and playmaking have contributed significantly to the franchise’s success. Additionally, Green earned the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017. Nobody should dismiss those accomplishments when evaluating his future. However, past championships cannot guarantee a player’s continued value. Green has repeatedly allowed emotional confrontations to interfere with his availability. His latest ejection represents another example of that troubling pattern. Furthermore, Golden State cannot afford unnecessary distractions while competing in a difficult Western Conference. The Warriors need consistency from their veterans, especially during close games against conference opponents. Instead, Green’s actions forced Steve Kerr to adjust his rotation unexpectedly. Although Golden State won, another opponent might have exploited his absence more effectively. The organization must consider whether Green’s unpredictable behavior creates more problems than his defensive abilities solve.
The Warriors Have Younger Players Ready to Contribute
Golden State’s developing roster provides another reason to reconsider Green’s long-term role. Lendeborg has already demonstrated considerable offensive potential during his rookie season. He scored a career-high 37 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 1. Meanwhile, Podziemski continues developing into an important contributor on both ends of the floor. Bassey’s performance against Phoenix also highlighted Golden State’s available frontcourt alternatives. The reserve center contributed 19 points and eight rebounds while providing valuable energy. Furthermore, Melton demonstrated his defensive instincts during the closing minutes. Those performances suggest Golden State possesses several players capable of handling additional responsibilities. However, none individually replaces Green’s experience, communication, and understanding of Kerr’s defensive system. The Warriors would need a collective effort to compensate for his departure. Nevertheless, younger players cannot fully develop without meaningful opportunities. Golden State must eventually decide whether maintaining its championship-era core outweighs building toward the future. Golden
Steve Kerr Faces Another Difficult Decision
Kerr has defended Green throughout numerous controversies during their championship partnership. Following Monday’s incident, Kerr downplayed the confrontation as intense competition rather than a serious altercation. Meanwhile, Curry suggested Green’s ejection motivated the team to respond. Podziemski also acknowledged that the incident energized Golden State after a sluggish start. Those reactions demonstrate that Green still commands considerable respect inside the locker room. However, motivation should not require unnecessary technical fouls or ejections. Championship teams must maintain discipline when opponents attempt to provoke emotional reactions. Green understands that responsibility better than most players because of his extensive playoff experience. Nevertheless, he continues placing himself in situations that threaten his availability. Kerr must determine whether additional accountability can produce meaningful behavioral changes. Otherwise, Golden State could face similar problems during more important games.
Does Golden State Actually Play Better Without Green?
Monday’s comeback certainly supports examining Golden State’s defensive performance without Green. However, one impressive stretch cannot establish that the Warriors consistently defend better without him. Several factors contributed to the turnaround, including Phoenix’s lineup adjustments and Curry’s offensive explosion. Additionally, Golden State increased its defensive intensity during the closing minutes. The Warriors outscored Phoenix by 13 points following Green’s departure. Still, that scoring advantage does not measure defensive efficiency by itself. Golden State would need a larger statistical sample before drawing definitive conclusions. The organization should compare defensive ratings, opponent shooting percentages, and lineup performance across multiple games. Nevertheless, Monday demonstrated something important. Golden State can execute defensively without relying exclusively on Green’s presence. That development deserves attention as the franchise evaluates its future.
Should the Warriors Trade Draymond Green?
Trading Green would represent a significant organizational decision rather than a simple response to one ejection. Golden State would need to consider his contract, potential trade value, and compatibility with prospective partners. Additionally, Curry’s relationship with Green could influence the franchise’s decision-making process. The Warriors must also consider whether another team would accept Green’s disciplinary history. His defensive versatility and championship experience could still interest teams seeking veteran leadership. However, his limited scoring production creates another concern. Green entered Monday averaging approximately three points per game while contributing significantly as a facilitator. Golden State needs offensive balance around Curry, particularly against younger and more athletic opponents. A trade could potentially provide additional scoring, frontcourt depth, or future assets. Nevertheless, removing Green might weaken the defensive communication that helped build the Warriors’ dynasty. The front office must evaluate both possibilities before making such a consequential decision.
Final Thoughts: Loyalty Cannot Last Forever
The Warriors owe Green tremendous appreciation for everything he has accomplished throughout his career. Four championships, numerous playoff victories, and unforgettable defensive performances cement his place in franchise history. However, professional sports organizations cannot make every decision based on past success. Golden State must prioritize its present competitiveness and long-term future. Monday’s victory against Phoenix demonstrated that other players could deliver when Green leaves the lineup. Furthermore, his latest ejection raises legitimate concerns about accountability and emotional control. The Warriors should seriously evaluate their options rather than automatically dismissing the possibility of a trade. However, they should not make a franchise-changing decision based on one game’s defensive performance.
Green deserves consideration for his continued defensive contributions, but he also must accept greater responsibility. If the unnecessary confrontations continue, Golden State should become increasingly willing to move forward without him. The question is no longer whether Draymond Green helped build the Warriors’ dynasty. Everyone knows he did. The real question concerns whether he remains essential to their next chapter. Monday night’s victory suggests Golden State has alternatives worth exploring. Perhaps the Warriors do not need to trade Green immediately. However, the time has arrived to seriously consider whether his best days in Golden State belong to the past.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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