“If they didn't think he was necessary to them winning anymore, they would get rid of him” – NBA analyst analyzes Warriors' decision to continue with Draymond Green, says he's indispensable for the team
Draymond Green's altercation with Jordan Poole has continued to dominate the headlines. With just days to go until the start of the new NBA season, the story has continued to circulate.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said that the situation is the biggest crisis he's seen in his time with the organization. The incident shook the foundation of the team to its very core. However, Green was levied with just a fine and wasn't suspended by the Warriors.
This led analyst Tim Bontemps into saying the team is willing to put up with Green's antics because of what he brings to the floor:
"This just is an example, once again, of the Warriors looking at Draymond Green and deciding it's more worthwhile for them to have him around. And deal with the baggage of everything that comes with him. Being around than to just get rid of him.
"Because if they didn't think he was necessary to them winning anymore, they would get rid of him."
He added:
"And I would say, the reason this is the biggest crisis is this is probably the first time they really sat down and discussed 'Is it worth having this guy around anymore?' And ultimately, with the fact that they're not suspending him, they decided that it is."
Watch the discussion unfold from the 9-minute mark:
Draymond Green, Jordan Poole and the Warriors going forward
Even though the Warriors have shown their faith in Draymond Green, he is in a contract year. At the end of the season, he'll decide whether to opt in to the final year of his contract. Given that, the franchise could look to trade him during the year in order to get some assets in return.
Jordan Poole is reportedly set to sign a contract extension with the team in the coming weeks. As a result, the Warriors could face some difficult questions as to whether the two players can coexist in the future.
As the season opener draws closer, only time will tell whether they will be able to make things work on the floor. For a team that's looking to retain the NBA title, team chemistry issues could pose a serious threat to their hopes.
With the season rapidly approaching, it's anyone's guess as to how things will shake out in Golden State.