Can Draymond’s body and mind take on the extra punishment of playing center at this late stage of his career so that his younger teammate will flourish as a power forward?
After Christmas Day I wrote an article talking about the fantastic flashes and the frustrating errors that have defined fourth year lottery pick Jonathan Kuminga’s tenure with the Golden State Warriors. Since then, he’s been BALLING OUT, showing that the team’s faith in him is not misguided in his continued development.
For the Dubs to reach the mountaintop again and bring a fifth championship during the Stephen Curry era, Kuminga will be a featured piece. Either as a strong player balling in the blue and gold, or as a trade piece. My vote? DON’T TRADE HIM.
But for him to be the best JK, it’s going to require the help of his teammate and OG, Draymond Green. Dub Nation has been watching to figure out what Kuminga’s best position is: does he have enough jumpshot to be a small forward? Is he a physical enough rebounder and screener to be a power forward? And if he’s power forward, where does that put Green who traditionally starts at that position?
I know Green changed the game and unlocked Golden State’s small ball death squad as the de facto big man, and he’s a Hall-of-Famer who can lead the team in assists and their best rim protector but....do you really want him as small ball center forever?
To keep it all the way real, Green’s sacrifice as the Golden State Warriors’ small-ball center has redefined basketball and cemented his place as one of the most unique players in NBA history. At just 6’6” (on a good day), Draymond is woefully undersized for the center position in a league that traditionally thrives on height and physicality. Yet his ability to guard all five positions, anchor the defense, and quarterback the offense from the middle revolutionized the Warriors’ dynasty. But make no mistake—this role comes with a heavy toll.
Physically, the demands are grueling. Night after night, Draymond has to battle giants in the post, box out seven-footers, and absorb punishment usually reserved for players with 20-30 extra pounds of muscle. Think about it: for years, he’s been the guy tasked with guarding Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokić, and Joel Embiid—players who can bruise you in the paint or torch you from the outside. And while Draymond has the intelligence and toughness to win many of those matchups, the grind on his body is undeniable. Every bump, every hard screen, every dive for a loose ball adds up, leaving scars that don’t always heal by game time.
The mental toll might be even heavier. Y’all wonder why he’s out here screaming at people and elbowing people in the throat?! THE MAN’S FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE EVERY NIGHT AGAINST GIANTS.
Draymond isn’t just a player; he’s the heartbeat of the team. His voice orchestrates their switches, covers mistakes, and ignites their fast-break opportunities. When the Warriors need stops in crunch time, the responsibility often falls on him to outsmart and outwork players much bigger and more athletic. That burden, coupled with his fiery leadership, requires an energy reserve most players don’t have. And the emotional strain of constantly playing a thankless role—where box scores rarely reflect his value—can wear down even the strongest wills.
Ironically, Draymond’s dominance as an undersized center has forced the rest of the NBA to adapt. Over the last decade, we’ve seen a surge in big men who can shoot, dribble, and pass, making it harder for players like Green to single-handedly neutralize opposing centers. Jokić, Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo aren’t just talented—they’re chess moves in response to the Warriors’ small-ball revolution.
Green’s sacrifice may not always grab headlines, but his willingness to embrace a role most players would avoid is why the Warriors have four championships. The cost is steep, but the legacy? Unparalleled.
And if it unlocks GSW’s #7 overall pick from the 2021 draft? It’ll be worth it, yet again.
