The Golden State Warriors are navigating a rough stretch, and their fans are making their frustration known. The offense no longer delivers the electrifying performances of past seasons, and the absence of Draymond Green is the most glaring reason why. Without him, the team looks disjointed. Their ball movement, rhythm, and chemistry—all elements Green orchestrates—are noticeably lacking. While the Warriors still boast an impressive roster, it’s clear they’re missing the key ingredient that once made their system click.

The Warriors’ offense has always thrived on fluidity, movement, and making the right pass at the right moment. Draymond has been at the heart of that system. Steve Kerr recently acknowledged as much, pointing out how the offense is failing to support the defense, especially in the second quarter. His exact words? “I thought our offense didn’t help our defense in the second quarter. And so the game didn’t connect very well. They got loose in transition. They hit a bunch of open shots—mostly jump shots, a couple layups—but I just thought our offense didn’t help our defense.”

However, Kerr did provide a positive update on Green’s status. After nearly two weeks on the sidelines, Green is nearing his return, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

When Draymond’s on the floor, everything just works. He moves the ball, he finds Steph, he makes sure those open looks happen. Without him? Steph’s touches drop, and it’s painfully obvious. Kerr even pointed it out—during a recent game, Steph had just five shots by halftime. Five. That’s never going to cut it. Kerr admitted, “I think Steph had five shots at halftime. And we weren’t finding ways to get him the ball. I’ve got to do a better job of that. But Draymond will help when he comes back, for sure.”

When Draymond is on the floor, everything flows. He directs traffic, finds Steph, and creates open looks for teammates. Without him, Steph’s impact diminishes—a glaring issue that Kerr himself has acknowledged. In a recent game, Steph had just five shot attempts by halftime. Five. That’s simply not going to cut it. Kerr admitted, “I think Steph had five shots at halftime. And we weren’t finding ways to get him the ball. I’ve got to do a better job of that. But Draymond will help when he comes back, for sure.”

Steve Kerr’s Trade Talk: Can New Faces Fix the Warriors’ Struggles?

Now, let’s address the alternative: making a trade. Speculation is swirling about potential moves, with names like Zach LaVine, Jimmy Butler, and Nikola Vucevic being tossed around. On paper, these additions sound exciting, but the real question remains—would any of them truly fit within the Warriors’ system?

The Warriors rely on an intricate offensive scheme built on constant motion and quick decision-making, rather than isolation-heavy plays. Their identity revolves around fluid ball movement and synchronized team actions. Plugging in a new player isn’t as simple as inserting raw talent and expecting immediate success. Even proven veterans can struggle to adjust. Take Dennis Schröder, for example—despite his strong season with the Nets, he initially faced difficulties adapting to a different system. If the Warriors were to bring in LaVine or Butler, it would take time for them to integrate into the team’s unique style. Then there’s the cost of making a trade.

 Landing a player of LaVine or Butler’s caliber would mean giving up key pieces. While shaking things up might seem like a solution, it could further disrupt team chemistry. A deal might fix one issue but create another. This system depends on players who understand spacing, ball movement, and how to keep Steph engaged. That’s not something every star player can master overnight.

At the end of the day, the Warriors’ biggest problem isn’t a lack of talent—it’s the absence of Draymond Green. No trade can replicate what he brings to the team. Sure, adding another star might offer a short-term boost, but without their glue guy, the offense still won’t function as intended.

So, while the idea of a blockbuster trade is tempting, the real solution might be as simple as getting Draymond back on the court and letting the team rediscover its rhythm. Until then, Warriors fans will have to buckle up and hope the turnaround happens soon. Fingers crossed.