The Golden State Warriors are a fading dynasty, according to head coach Steve Kerr, as well as the brutal future that awaits them once Stephen Curry retires. But while the franchise has made an effort to keep its dynastic run alive in hopes of winning one more title, it hasn’t gone very well, as after missing out on Giannis Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline, they made a bold move to add Kristaps Porzingis as their next key contributor.
Granted, Jimmy Butler went out with a torn ACL, and the move to add Porzingis for the barely-playing Jonathan Kuminga wasn’t a major risk at the time, but after not landing Antetokounmpo, the future doesn’t look very bright for the Warriors, despite Curry continuing to play at an All-NBA level.
Specifically, as it relates to Draymond Green and Porzingis, Golden State is in for some major concerns for as long as both are still on the team. Most recently, both were named on Bleacher Report’s list of the most overrated NBA players, with Porzingis ranking fourth and Green ranking first.
Additionally, writing for BlueManHoop.com, G.C. Bellchamber wrote that both the trade for Porzingis and the fast-dropping performance of Green this season likely mean the Warriors’ using both as assets to have any chance of trading for Antetokounmpo can be thrown out the window.
Porzingis Named One Of NBA’s Most Overrated Players
Golden State was the only team in Greg Swartz’s article on Bleacher Report that featured two players deemed the top ten ‘most overrated’ players in the league. While both are NBA finals winners and have shown how impactful they can be at their peaks, the case for both being on the back end of their careers is much more prevalent and easy to see today, despite their previous successes.
For Porzingis, injuries and overall health concerns are the biggest issues. He hasn’t played in more than 65 regular-season games in nearly a decade, and is currently dealing with both a lingering Achilles injury, as well as a previously unknown illness with the acronym P.O.T.S., which is an automatic nervous system disorder that has kept him out for major stretches over the past few years.
“Porziņģis continues to be plagued by injuries and is currently sidelined with left Achilles tendinitis. He’s played just 17 total games for the Atlanta Hawks all season and just five since November,” Swartz wrote. “Porziņģis was averaging just 45.4 healthy games over the last eight years coming into this season. Injuries have unfortunately robbed him of a potential Hall of Fame career.”
But aside from the injuries, Porzingis’ performance, along with his contract, are big reasons he ended up on the list.
“Even when at full strength, Porziņģis is averaging 17.1 points per game this season (the lowest since his rookie year), 5.1 rebounds (his worst ever, by a lot) and 1.3 blocks (tied for a career low),” he added. “A 36.0 percent mark from three is also below his career average.”
Having him, who was yet to play for Golden State with no official timeline on a return based on the latest Porzingis injury update, as a consolation prize after missing out on Antetokounmpo isn’t the best sign, especially considering adding his injuries and health issues to an aging team that is already nearing the end of its dynasty.
Draymond Green Named Most Overrated Player In The NBA
For Green, it’s a bit of a different story, as his impact has never truly been shown through his statistics. Yet still, in his 14th season, the former DPOY has taken a major step back on both sides of the ball and isn’t the same facilitator-defensive anchor that helped the Warriors win four titles.
“As for this season, however, Green’s reputation no longer comes close to his actual production,” Swartz wrote. “The Warriors are only slightly better on defense with him on the court (minus-1.3 swing rating, 59th percentile) and Green is only pulling in 0.8 steals per game, the lowest since his rookie season. If Green isn’t defending at a high level, there’s little else Golden State can count on him for.”
This season, Green is averaging 8.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 41.7% shooting, none of which are major changes from his career averages. But still, for the future Hall of Famer who could either be deemed the second or third most important player on multiple championship teams, he doesn’t look anything close to his late 2010s form.
“We’re now nearly a decade removed from Green’s lone Defensive Player of the Year award and it’s been eight seasons since he’s averaged more than a triple single,” Swartz added. “Green has a $27.7 million player option for next season. He’d be wise not to test free agency.”
Recently, Green was mentioned in Warriors trade rumors for Antetokounmpo. Though he didn’t end up being moved, the forward said he knew what the business of basketball was like, and would have accepted his fate if the front office chose send him away. While he will always be a key part of the Warriors dynasty, unlike Curry, the end of Green’s career looks to be approaching very quickly.
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