Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images for Fanatics
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors‘ dynasty will go down in NBA history as one of the most dominant runs from a franchise. Between 2014 and 2022, the Warriors lifted four NBA championships.
Interestingly, former NBA superstar Isiah Thomas believes things could have turned out very differently. During a recent appearance on “The Draymond Green Show” podcast, Thomas told Draymond Green that Kevin Durant helped save the franchise’s legacy.
“Let me make a bold statement here, and I hope this don’t upset you,” Thomas said. “Before Kevin Durant arrived in Golden State, y’all were on the verge of being remembered as the team that went 73-9 and lost to a Cleveland Cavaliers team in the Finals up 3-1 and probably one of the biggest collapses in NBA Finals history – from a 73-9 historical team.”
Thomas continued.
“Kevin Durant comes that summer and really saves y’all basketball legacies, and you win two championships after that. And now the Golden State Warriors dynasty that you’re going to go in the Hall of Fame on and everything else is cemented because if Durant doesn’t come that summer and you guys are remembered as the 73-9 team that lost [up] 3-1 in the NBA Finals, all of your legacies are different.”
Isiah Thomas believes Kevin Durant saved Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green basketball legacies
“Before KD arrived in Golden State y’all were on the verge of being remembered for one of the biggest collapses in NBA Finals history.”
(Via @DraymondShow) pic.twitter.com/kgKUR1j80a
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) August 26, 2025
Durant spent three seasons with the Warriors. With him in the rotation, Steve Kerr’s roster seemed invincible. Durant certainly helped cement the Warriors’ dominance within the NBA’s history books.
Warriors Still Chasing Another Championship
Despite the Warriors’ core entering the twilight of their careers, the franchise is still looking to add a fifth championship to its list of achievements. That push for success was likely a driving factor behind adding Jimmy Butler at the February 2025 trade deadline.
However, with each passing season, the viability of Stephen Curry, Green and Butler lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy decreases a little bit more. The Western Conference is full of high-level teams. There’s a lot of young talent to contend with.
Nevertheless, the Warriors know what it takes to get back to the mountain top. They can’t be ignored, especially during the postseason.
Warriors Could Add Al Horford
It would also appear that Mike Dunleavy Jr. is happy to lean into the veteran status of the current roster. Al Horford, 39, is expected to sign with the franchise for the upcoming season.
Interestingly, Horford is likely to receive more than the veteran minimum. NBA insider Jake Fischer discussed Horford’s impending deal with the Warriors during a recent livestream for Bleacher Report.
“Al Horford’s situation is a bit different because, depending on where the Warriors land in a cap tax situation, I believe he could make upwards of the full taxpayer mid-level ($5.7 million) exception,” Fischer said. “There’s also discussion of a potential two-year deal with a player option, which would be beneficial for Horford, who was considering retirement following the Boston Celtics‘ championship run in 2024.”
Horford will undoubtedly improve Golden State’s roster. He will add floor spacing, high-level multi-position defense and smart decision making. Pairing Horford, Butler and Green in the front court will create a diverse and talented defensive unit.
And, while adding Horford doesn’t guarantee a championship push, his presence will certainly help the Warriors get one step closer to achieving their ultimate goal. At least then, Curry and Green will have three championship rings without Durant, and some of those narratives can fade away.