Steve Kerr makes it clear that the Warriors need Draymond Green back

Steve Kerr made it clear as day — the Golden State Warriors can’t afford to let Draymond Green walk in free agency. 

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has a $27.6 million player option for next season that he is expected to decline in search of a long-term contract. Now 33 years old, this is probably the former Defensive Player of the Year’s final opportunity to cash in.

Green has already stated his desire to run it back with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. That trio has four championships under their belt, of course, that’s the preference. But Golden State faces many hurdles this offseason, financial and otherwise. The return of team president Bob Myers is uncertain at best, while Klay Thompson is also due for a payday in the near future.

Looming over it all, of course, is the incident from last offseason when Green punched teammate Jordan Poole in practice, leading to a season-long reconciliation process that left the team’s chemistry tattered and incomplete.

The Golden State Warriors can’t afford to lose Draymond Green

If you ask Steve Kerr, however, there’s no chance Golden State can let Green walk. He’s too important both on and off the court, for reasons the NBA fandom is quite familiar with at this point.

Green’s numbers have never leapt off the screen. Last season, he averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. But Green is probably the league’s most valuable single-digit scorer — a whirlwind connective defender who orchestrates Golden State’s entire scheme. He can switch 1-5, he’s the master of properly timed help, and he’s still one of the game’s premier pickpockets.

It’s not like Green is totally forgotten on the offensive end either. His chemistry in two-man actions with Stephen Curry is singular; few duos can claim the synergy those two share. Green knows where and how to seek Curry out. Green can also operate as the de facto point guard — a gifted facilitator who kickstarts transition offense and keeps the ball swinging.

The head of the proverbial snake in Golden State has always been Stephen Curry. He’s an all-time great, maybe the best offensive player of his generation. But Green has, arguably, been equally important to the Warriors’ special two-way dominance over the years. He is the best defensive quarterback in the NBA and the ultimate postseason defender.

Steve Kerr knows this group better than anyone. He understands the rift caused by Green’s actions over the summer. He knows the drawbacks (and in equal measure, the positives) of Green’s assertive, at times overbearing personality. Golden State has to take the bad with the good because every season the good outweighs the bad when it comes to Draymond Green.

There’s also tenure at play here. Green is responsible in part for four championships. The Warriors owe him one last contract. That’s not always the best way to run a team, but there’s no replacing Green at the center of this dynasty. Kerr is right: without Draymond, it’s difficult to imagine the Warriors getting another ring.