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In case you’ve been living under a rock, the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors are in the middle of a kerfuffle pitting Defensive MVP Draymond Green against straight-up MVP Kevin Durant. Amidst all the speculation about the long-term outcome for the Warriors, Michael Pina of Vice Sports wonders what would happen if they traded away Green to appease Durant and enhance his chances of remaining with the club beyond his current contract.
Pina is quick to point out that his scenario is speculative...
This isn’t to say Golden State should or will trade the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate just to appease the unappeasable Durant. But it’s worth wondering what they could get, or would even want, in return. And outside the Bay Area’s cushy confines, where he’s ascended alongside the two greatest shooters who ever lived, what would Draymond even look in another team’s jersey?
...but that doesn’t stop him from naming the Portland Trail Blazers as an attractive destination:
Portland Trail Blazers get: Draymond Green
Golden State Warriors get: Zach Collins, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Moe Harkless
How much more enjoyable will the NBA playoffs be if this trade happens? Golden State (possibly) sustains its standing in the short-term while looking towards the future with a cost-controlled blue chipper who can pass, shoot, and protect the basket. Portland ostensibly lands the missing piece it needs to make a legitimate playoff run without breaking up its backcourt duo.
What say you? Would you welcome Green in Portland’s uniform if it cost three current forwards? He’s 28. He averages right around 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in 30 minutes per. He’s making $17.5 million this year and is scheduled for $18.5 next, with no options. Then there’s the defense. Is that enough? Weigh in below.