With Klay Thompson departing, the Warriors’ three-man core was reduced to two. Stephen Curry is still singing his symphony, being the cornerstone of the Warriors. Draymond Green remains a pivotal member of the ball club. However, the last season could only be described as turbulent for the former DPOY. Green being the battery for the club, technicals and fouls are acceptable. But in the past campaign, he failed to be the supporting pillar the Bay needs much due to his indiscipline. It has made his most passionate fans admit it was excessive.

Matt Kolsky is among them. Even though he proudly hangs the vivacious forward’s frame on his wall, the podcaster felt Green has the most to prove in the upcoming season. It’s not related to his career. The 34-year-old goes down as a “top 100” player for Kolsky. But his recklessness cost the Warriors severely last season. It wasn’t just four ejections, but Green spent 18 games under suspension.

“This is a guy who has hurt his team the last two years with the non-basketball aspects of what he does. He lost his temper. It’s all losing his temper,” Matt Kolsky stated on the Locked on Warriors podcast.

Temperament is the keyword here. Playing with a chip on his shoulder, aggravated reactions are a common theme with Draymond Green. But considering the Warriors ended as the 10th seed last year, it can somehow be linked to his absence. In the 55 games Green did appear in, the Warriors had a 60% win rate. Even five more wins would have given them a record equivalent to the fourth seed in the West.

The argument though is are the Warriors that good with Draymond Green to win five additional games? Luckily, there are astounding numbers to prove it. With the dynamic forward on the court, the Warriors had a net differential of +173 in his 55 games. Of the top five most efficient lineups, Draymond Green features in three.

Bluntly put, he is the motor for the Warriors. With him, the Bay offense works seamlessly as he understands Stephen Curry better than anyone. On the defensive end, he is the anchor, communicating and setting his men perfectly. His leadership qualities go beyond the game. Hence, it’s probable to consider that the Warriors would have a postseason-worthy team had Draymond Green remained on the floor.

Hence, Kolsky believes what Green needs to prove is that he can “stay on the floor and be an entirely positive contributor”. And what if he doesn’t?

Draymond Green and the Warriors’ future depend on his behavior

If the Warriors’ front office was asked to trade Green a few years ago, they would have made him ‘untouchable’. The above statistics and the words of his teammate warrant the fact. However, at some point value does come into question. Under his new extension, the eight-time All-Defensive member is the third-highest earner for the Bay.

With the Stephen Curry window narrowing down, the Golden State Warriors will have some tough decisions to make. That might include trading Green for a component that brings in the same value. Kolsky doesn’t believe ejections will do it. However, another Gobert or Nurkic incident pins a scary reality over Green’s legacy.

“If his temper and his inability to control himself led to another suspension, maybe. They might try anyway. I don’t know how easy it is financially with his contract situation. I don’t know who would see the value in Draymond if the Warriors stop seeing that value. And that’s very dangerous and that would hugely tarnish his legacy,” he mentioned on the Locked on Warriors podcast.

Kolsky though isn’t close with the Warriors front office. But Steve Kerr is, and his thoughts reflected a similar stance when he spoke about Green’s suspension last season. “I think Draymond knows his career is on the line. It really is”, the dynasty-leading HC said in an interview. As a realist, Draymond Green is well aware of it too.

He spoke candidly about the lessons he imparted during the rough times. It included complying with the NBA and visiting a counselor. He has had a better grip on his emotions from that moment. Since returning from his suspension, Green only saw one ejection, and that came from arguing with the officials. Even that intricate area is something the Warriors forward has vowed to improve over.

At the end of the day, Draymond Green holds his career in his own hands. Through everything he has gone through a journey of learning. Green understands how important he is to the Warriors and even admitted to ‘costing’ the team last season. Those realizations will lead to a more contained version of him.

It doesn’t mean he stops playing on the edge. However, that energy is infectious for the Warriors. Ultimately, Draymond Green addressed knowing where the line lies. His basketball genius has never been questioned. And through the measures he has adapted, Green seems to be on course to be a consistent part of the Warriors aiding them in their resurgence.