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An NBA insider offered up an interesting idea that would see the Golden State Warriors land a potential new face of the franchise in a deal that includes team legend Draymond Green.
Although it has been rumored a few times in recent seasons, this year really is set up to be the end of an era for the Warriors. While the organization hopes their well-aged team can compete for a championship in 2026-27, their roster is built to get a major makeover next summer.
Green, Jimmy Butler, and Stephen Curry’s contracts all end after this season. That would clear a ton of cap space to start over next summer. However, The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II claimed on Tuesday that if Golden State struggled during the first half, the front office would absolutely consider moving their veterans during the season for draft and trade assets.
In a follow-up story on Wednesday, Heavy’s Sean Deveney suggested that while expiring contracts have lost their value in recent years, they are coming back in vogue ahead of the new season, and the future Hall of Famers being in the final years of their pacts helps to make deals even more possible before February’s trade deadline.
With that in mind, Deveney offered up a bold idea that would see the Warriors move green and land a player who could be the new face of the franchise after Curry.
Could the Golden State Warriors pursue a Paolo Banchero trade this season?
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May 1, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) dribbles the ball against Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) in the fourth quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
“Suppose the Orlando Magic peter out again early this season and are looking at their books, with a potential Anthony Black contract added, and decide it is time to jettison Paolo Banchero, who makes $41 million this year,” Deveney wrote. “The Warriors could package Green and Moses Moody ($12.5 million) to the Magic, and come away with a 23-year-old star, though one they will owe $240 million over five years.
“The Magic will come away with a player they can use, Moody, and will remove $27.7 million from their books when Green hits free agency,” he added. “If the Warriors added a first-round pick, something like that would work. Green’s value to the Magic is not as a player–it’s as a $27.7 million eraser.”
Why the Warriors should consider a Banchero trade
There have been rumblings about a Banchero trade the last couple of years because it seems like the combo of him and fellow young star Franz Wagner probably won’t work. The No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft is a one-time All-Star who will only turn 24 in November and can easily average over 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists a night. He is the sort of high-level talent the organization can be built around.
It is possible the Warriors re-sign Curry in the summer and team him up with Banchero for a couple of seasons. But if they didn’t, they could seek out another young rising star to pair him with. Such as New Orleans Pelicans swingman Trey Murphy III.