Draymond Green’s recent struggles raise questions on whether he’s a problem for the Golden State Warriors’ title hopes. Do they play better without him?
Is Draymond Green Becoming a Problem for the Warriors?
Draymond Green’s Recent Struggles
Green was left out of the lineup this week against the Timberwolves due to an apparent back injury. Ironically, his absence came shortly after a costly late-game foul on Jalen Smith against the Bulls that sent the game to overtime, a moment that proved pivotal in the loss. That sequence raises an important question: was Green truly sidelined by injury, or did the mistake against the Bulls prove to be the final straw for head coach Steve Kerr?
The one-time Defensive Player of the Year took accountability for the loss. Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, he admitted: “Unfortunately, I feel like against the Bulls, I let my team down…Something that was completely in my control or our control, but s–t happens, and we got to move on.”
Kerr still trusted his 14-year veteran, bringing him back onto the floor in the final seconds despite struggling throughout the night. The numbers reflected a difficult outing for Green, as he finished the game with a -17 plus-minus. To make matters worse, the Golden State forward has recorded a negative plus-minus in four of the team’s last six games.
Are the Warriors Better Without Him?
Draymond Green calls out Warriors fans who want him traded:
“To the real Warriors fans who don’t feel that way, thank you. To the ones who do feel that way, you were a loser before I got here. A f*cking stone cold forever losers!” 😳
h/t @NBA__Courtside
pic.twitter.com/X8jKk8Gz6F— Guru (@DrGuru_) March 9, 2026
This season, Green’s statistical impact has suffered a major decline, especially defensively. The four-time NBA champion is averaging fewer assists, rebounds, steals and blocks than he has in more than a decade. His presence is beginning to fade, as his role in the starting lineup is becoming far more problematic.
The Pressure on Draymond Green
In recent years, Green’s trademark intensity, leadership and hustle have remained a defining part of the Warriors franchise. However, this intensity has not always translated to results and has instead been accompanied by controversy. Fights, ejections, suspensions, and frequent on-court antics have placed the veteran under the spotlight. So much so, people forget his accolades and how good a player he truly is. While his passion has long been central to Golden State’s success, his emotional side gets the better of him, and now that’s resulting in mistakes on the court.
