The Golden State Warriors were forced to start Draymond Green at center for most of the 2025 NBA playoffs due to the lack of frontcourt depth. While Quinten Post and Kevon Looney backed up Green, the Warriors didn’t get much production out of either big man in 12 playoff games.
Fadeaway World proposed a three-team Warriors trade that would fetch Golden State Santi Aldama, a versatile big man who averaged 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season, while making an impressive 1.8 threes per game.
Warriors would receive: Santi Aldama
Grizzlies would receive: Noah Clowney, Keon Johnson, 2026 first-round pick swap
Nets would receive: Moses Moody, 2030 second-round pick (GSW)
A Perfect Fit With the Warriors
The trade would see the Warriors part with Moses Moody and a 2026 first-round pick swap, which seems like a fair package for Aldama.
“At 6’11”, Aldama boasts tremendous skill at his size,” wrote Siddhant Gupta. “His versatility as a playmaking big man was showcased last season with the Grizzlies. But the forward’s game isn’t predicated only on his fundamental skills.
“He has also shown great mobility and athleticism at his size. This has made him a menacing defender, capable of guarding multiple positions owing to his switchability.”
In the aftermath of the playoffs, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he hopes to see Green return to his natural position of power forward in the 2025-26 season.
“I don’t want to start next season with Draymond as our starting five,” Kerr said in his exit press conference, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “I think it’s doable for the last 30 games like we did this year, but you see the toll it takes on him. He’s talked about it too.”
Green Not Expected to Play Center
Green was grateful for Kerr’s comments, while admitting that playing center took a toll on his body in the playoffs, hampering his ability to play defense at a high level.
“As far as what Steve said, God bless his heart,” Green said, via NBC Sports Bay Area.
“It was real because playing the 5, it’s hard. And I’m always down to do it, as you know, like any challenge you throw my way, I’ll take on the challenge, but it’s hard battling every night guys who outweigh me by 60 to 80 pounds, and they’re four inches or five inches, seven inches taller than me. It does take a toll.”
According to multiple insiders, any and all talk of a Warriors trade in the 2025 offseason would be centered around Jonathan Kuminga, a restricted free agent.
Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto reported on June 16 that the Bulls and Heat have expressed interest in acquiring Kuminga via sign-and-trade deals.
“The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are two teams to monitor as potential sign-and-trade candidates for Kuminga, league sources told HoopsHype. With that in mind, the Warriors have also not ruled out the possibility of retaining Kuminga, sources said,” Scotto wrote.
The Warriors could potentially seek a player such as Nikola Vucevic, who has been on the Warriors’ radar since the trade deadline, or even Haywood Highsmith, a versatile big man from the Heat. Either way, the Warriors are expected to pursue a new starting center aggressively, to allow Green to slide back to power forward.
