Michigan standout could be exactly what Draymond Green and the Warriors need

Draymond Green is synonymous with the NBA at this point. He's an outspoken player who says what's on his mind, but he's also earned it, because he's one of the best defensive players in the league.

The Golden State Warriors had a disappointing 2025-26 season and didn't make it to the playoffs. They closed out the regular season in the No. 10 position in the Western Conference, so they didn't make the cut.

Now, the Warriors are coming up on the NBA Draft, and they have some decisions to make. They have the No. 11 pick in the draft, so they're in a good position to secure some A-list talent at a deal. But, they have to pick the right player.

Draymond Green and the Warriors would benefit from this Michigan player

One player who's likely to still be available by No. 11 in the draft is Michigan center Aday Mara. Lucky for the Warriors, Mara would be a great complement to Green.

Mara's NBA Draft Room profile notes that he's an "incredibly skilled and talented" player. He's not super mobile, but that's hard to be when you're 7-foot-3. His profile also notes that his "passing skills really set him apart from most other centers."

So, there's plenty of good in here, but his profile also warns that there's concern about his "ability to guard at the NBA level." Still, that could be said of any college talent who has yet to be tested in the NBA.

Drafting Mara would help Green by taking off some of the physical strain of fending off larger centers. Mara is a big man in every sense of the term. He's 7-foot-3 and a national champion. Having him on the squad could provide immediate relief to Green, who's expected to be back with the Warriors. The only issue is that the two will have to accept that they come from rival schools, since Green is a former Michigan State Spartan.