3 Golden State Warriors who definitely won’t be back next season

1. Draymond Green or Jordan Poole

From the beginning of this season, it seemed like this might be the end for Draymond Green and the Warriors. He was not able to negotiate an extension with the team, Jordan Poole was and it certainly appeared that frustration could have been a contributing factor to the punch he throw at Poole in a preseason practice.

Green has a player option for next season and, while it was far from certain, there seemed to be a good possibility he would opt out and sign a longer deal with someone like the Lakers, larger than the Warriors could offer him because of the extensions they signed Andrew Wiggins and Poole too.

However, Poole regressed and has completely no-showed in the playoffs — averaging just 10.6 points, shooting 34.4 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Green has proved himself utterly essential even accounting for the chaos he caused by stomping on Domantas Sabonis’ chest and getting suspended for a game in the first round.

Zach Lowe has said that the Warriors have to explore trading Poole and if they do move him, there’s a good chance Golden State will try to negotiate an extension with Green. If they can’t find the right trade partner, they may have to watch Green leave anyway.

At this point, it’s not clear what the future holds for Poole or Green. But the odds seem exceedingly small that they’re both on the Warriors next year.

Check out The Step Back for more news, analysis, opinion and unique basketball coverage. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our daily email newsletter, The Whiteboard.