Klay Thompson is getting benched. Draymond Green can’t keep from choking or hitting people, and keeps getting ejected.
The Warriors are 10-13 and looking like a team that may make the Play-In Tournament — if they’re lucky.
Thompson is in the final year of his contract. The Warriors’ offer is reportedly off the table. Sides can renegotiate, of course. But do the Warriors really want to? Thompson is still a nice player, a veteran with championship experience.
That said, he may no longer be a starter on a championship-level team. His legs aren’t totally shot, but the eye test will tell you they are getting there.
One rival GM told Hoops Wire that the Warriors signing Thompson to a large deal, or even a two-year deal, would be a mistake for the franchise. He added he hopes they do it “from a competitive standpoint.”
This isn’t intended to rip on Thompson or imply he’s ready for the basketball scrap heap. But the Warriors should trade him while he still has value. All dynasties come to an end. Golden State still has Stephen Curry. His championship window is closing. The Warriors should do him right and look to make a splash. What could they get for Thompson, for Green? For both? Throw in Andrew Wiggins, who hasn’t been himself lately.
As for Green, he is beloved by his teammates. But his act is getting old and hurting the team. He gets thrown out, gets suspended, then the cycle repeats itself. There’s value in having an enforcer. Green can play that role. You have to be smart about it, though. Being physical and playing with an edge is one thing. Cold-cocking people or stepping on their chest or putting them in a chokehold is another.
It’s time for the Warriors to make some moves. Thompson and Green will go down as part of franchise lore. That’s great, but this team is going nowhere, despite the claims of coach Steve Kerr, another person who’s contract is up at season’s end.
If the Warriors want to contend, they have to rip off the band-aid and start making moves. Sometimes, it hurts to get back near the top.
And frankly, it seems unlikely that Thompson will be around at the start of next season anyway, or that the Warriors will want to keep Green if he continues to sit on the sidelines for stupid reasons. The eras of both players with Golden State may be ending, and probably should.
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