For a long time, the Golden State Warriors didn’t have to think much about rebuilding. Why should they even think about it? Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green captured the core after Iguodala retired. But as Klay left, the cracks in the squad were out. And not just any cracks; these cracks turned into voids that demand filling in the 2024-25 NBA season.

Jimmy Butler’s arrival surely did wonders for the waning Dubs dynasty. He brought back the lost flames of the Warriors and pushed the team into the playoffs. But sadly, the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated them in the second round not too long ago. The wounds are fresh and gaping; despite that, the young roster, precisely Brandin Podziemski, seems to have reached out to the 2017 DPOY for advice.

Draymond Green shares insights on his conversation with Podziemski

Draymond Green saw flashes of brilliance but also growing pains in Brandin Podziemski’s playoff run. He pointed out how BP struggled against seasoned players but ended strong. Averaging 11.3 ppg, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in the postseason, BP’s struggles are evident. But that final game vs. the Wolves? A glimpse of what he could become; a solid 28 points despite the loss. Now, will BP take those hard lessons and turn them into fuel this summer? Draymond believes he will. He sees a worker, a learner, and maybe—just maybe—a future star in the making.

Moreover, the veteran forward trusts the grind. Draymond has spent two seasons watching Podziemski closely. So now, when it’s time to choose who’s worth investing in, he knows. Meanwhile, Green admits receiving some texts from Podz. “I actually got a text from him earlier today asking me, ‘What do you think I need to improve upon this summer?'” Draymond told Baron Davis on The Draymond Green Show. “That is the type of kid that he is. And—young man, I’m not going to call him a kid—he’s a young man. But that’s the type of young man he is. He works.”

Dray further shared, “His thing is like, ‘What do I need to do? What do you see that I need to be better at, that I could do to improve upon myself next year?'” What impresses Green is the fact that young players like Podz show promise. They have the fire that the Golden State Warriors truly need. However, heading into the offseason earlier than they had expected, a tough future lies ahead of them.

Especially with the front office reportedly looking for a major shake-up after a bittersweet 2024-25 season, you can hope for something big coming your way. To be precise, the team could throw youngsters like BP, Quinton Post, Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Gui Santos onto the trade’s guillotine. At the same time, Jonathan Kuminga has pulled the Warriors into a whirlwind.

Trade troubles might be looming large for Kuminga and 5 others

“Will every single one of them be back on this team next year? Just off sheer numbers and the way this business works, probably not. That’s with every team in the NBA. That’s just what it is,” Draymond Green confessed on his podcast. Work ethic, promising outlook, and improvement won’t be enough for BP, Post, Moody, TJD, and Santos to hold their forts in the Bay, because the front office might choose to trade them if the roster needs it to happen.

Now, as one of the key points of conversation, Green talked about JK’s fate with the Warriors. “You’re going to have to evaluate Jonathan Kuminga. We all know his talent. We all know what we believe he could be. But now you have to make a huge financial commitment. It won’t be JK at whatever his number is now. It’s a huge financial decision, so that has to look different for everybody.” Simply put, the Golden State Warriors stand at a crossroads with Kuminga. His talent is undeniable, but talent now meets price. And Draymond gets it. This decision must feel right for everyone. Especially for JK. He must rise, commit, and deliver.

Meanwhile, JK’s recent interview showed a side that impressed Draymond Green. He praised Kuminga’s maturity in exit interviews, highlighting how the young forward welcomed discussions and gave credit to Steve Kerr for guiding his development. “He said, ‘Listen, we all got to sit down. We’ve got to figure it out. It’s going to take a while to figure it out. Free agency does take a while. It’s going to take a while to figure this out.’ He said, ‘But I appreciate Coach Kerr because he’s helped me get here where I am at.'” Draymond admires how Kuminga faced his challenges head-on with honesty and grace. Sure, every player hits rough patches, but his talent shines through. No doubt, wherever he lands, a bright future and a paycheck await him.

The Warriors stand at a pivotal moment, caught between legacy and reinvention as Draymond Green narrates. Meanwhile, Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga face tough decisions as the front office prepares to shake things up. The future feels uncertain but electric. Still, one thing is clear—hope and hard work are far from lost in the Bay. The next chapter is theirs to write.