The Golden State Warriors have shown no inkling to trade Draymond Green, but his recent suspension has added an element of uncertainty to his future with the dynasty.
In the event that he is traded this season or sometime soon after, you might be surprised to find out which team is considered the favorite to land the 4x champion.
At +210, the Dallas Mavericks currently have the best odds to acquire Draymond followed by the Lakers at +300 and the Sacramento Kings at +500.
Draymond is already past his prime after 11 seasons in the league but he still brings a lot to the table as a ball handler, tone-setter, and vocal leader for the Warriors. Of course, his elite-level defense on the interior is what he is most known for after his title runs with the Warriors. In the right situation, Draymond could thrive in the next stage of his career but it remains to be seen if he can get his act together and avoid racking up any more suspensions
A Turning Point For Draymond Green
While Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have led the way for the Warriors for most of their run, they couldn’t have done it without Draymond Green, who is easily one of the best modern-day defenders in NBA history. Thanks to his efforts both on the ball and off the ball, the Warriors were able to maintain a good defense behind the explosion of the Splash Bros. and it’s widely considered by experts to be one of the main reasons for their success
The problem for Draymond is that his playstyle can often lead him a step too far. In the 2016 Finals, this became the Warriors’ downfall when Green got suspended for a kick on Steven Adams. Last season, things got downright ugly after Dray punched his own teammate during pre-season practice. This time, Green has completely lost control and is facing a lengthy suspension after a series of non-basketball plays earned him several ejections. So with Draymond struggling to keep his cool, and the Warriors digging a deep hole for themselves in the standings, the notion of making a big-time trade has looked increasingly likely and no. 23 could be at the center of it all.
Mavericks Are On The Cusp
For a team like the Dallas Mavericks, Draymond Green is the perfect player to move the needle for them. With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, they already have one of the best offenses in the NBA and a backcourt duo capable of combining for 60+ on any given night. Their biggest problem right now, and since the start of the Luka era, is defense and they rank just 22nd in the category out of all 30 teams.
As an 8x All-NBA Defensive Player and former Defensive Player of the Year, Draymond Green would certainly help to strengthen the Mavericks’ resistance around the rim. At the very least, his energy and championship pedigree will demand the Mavericks be taken seriously in the West, which is more than can be said right now given how vulnerable they are on the defensive end.
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