Draymond Green Could be the Missing Piece For the OKC Thunder

Draymond Green Could be the Missing Piece For the OKC Thunder

Draymond Green Could be the Missing Piece For the OKC Thunder

Though he has a reputation for being a villain in Oklahoma City, Draymond Green might be just what the Thunder need.

The star player for the Golden State Warriors has never played for another team, but given the team’s current

circumstances, Green’s stay in San Francisco may soon come to an end.

The former all-star would benefit from a

change of scenery as he serves an extended suspension for his egregious foul against Jusuf Nurkic earlier this month.

Bill Simmons suggested that Oklahoma City would be a good option in a podcast he

did with Ryen Russillo. If the Thunder can get his services at a reasonable cost,

he has the potential to be the final member of the squad.

Green might start in lieu of Josh Giddey in the starting lineup given the uncertainties surrounding his

future and his subpar play this season. The forward would start on the wing,

Jalen Williams on the wing, and Chet Holmgren next to him in the frontcourt.

And he would get to do the same for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after he had spent the previous ten years

preparing and screening for Stephen Curry. In his 15 games this season, Green has averaging 5.8 assists,

enough for second on the Thunder.

Within a limited sample size, the 6-foot-6 striker has seen his highest scoring season since the 2017–18 campaign. This season, he is also a decent 18-of-42 from 3-point range.

The clear risk associated with Green will be his availability—not an injury,

but rather his activities on the court, which have gotten out of hand in recent months.

An issue that the Warriors are now facing, and one that head coach Steve Kerr brought up following the news of Green’s most recent ban.

“The person who must change is the one who grabbed and choked Rudy (Gobert),

flailed violently at Jusuf (Nurkic), and punched Jordan (Poole) last year,” Kerr stated. And he is aware of that.

On that end, the former Defensive Player of the Year may elevate the Thunder to the level of a championship-caliber club if they think he can or has changed.

Five times in the last nine seasons, Green has led a top-five defense and been chosen for an All-Defensive team.

He may strengthen the Thunder’s already excellent defense,

which is ranked sixth in the defensive rating this season.

Although the defensive standout wouldn’t guarantee that Oklahoma City would overcome its rebounding issues,

his small-ball center background could strengthen the defense when Holmgren isn’t playing.

Given that Green’s offensive shortcomings are comparable to Giddey’s,

Oklahoma City’s starting five may likewise experience a noticeable improvement from the defensive enhancement.

After this season, he will have three more years left on his deal, and the Warriors may be

ready to let go of a vital player from four championship teams. Davis Bertans would have to be included in order for salaries to be comparable.

The Thunder would also probably need to add a combination of at least two draft picks or young players.

The Thunder may be willing to ship out guys like Tre Mann, Aaron Wiggins, Aleksej Pokusevski,

Ousmane Dieng, and Aaron Wiggins to the Warriors.

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