Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green spoke candidly on the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show about the team’s trade sending Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis.
“When you’re the seventh pick in the NBA draft, you usually go to a place where they’re going to give you the ball, they’re going to allow you to make a ton of mistakes, and you grow through those mistakes in hopes that you become a key, cornerstone, franchise piece to the rebuild of the team that drafted you with the seventh pick,” Green said, via NBC Sports Bay Area.
Green highlighted Kuminga’s maturity and professionalism despite limited playing time. “I appreciate the way he handled it, the maturity he showed in handling the situation the entire time, even when the writing was on the wall and everybody in the world kind of knew a trade was going to happen,” he added.
The trade addressed Golden State’s need for a versatile big man, bringing in Porzingis, who has struggled with injuries this season, appearing in just 17 games while managing POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). To facilitate the deal, the Warriors also traded Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors for a future second-round pick, clearing roster and salary space.
Green reflected on the challenges young players face when entering a competitive team. “You’re usually not drafted to a team that’s good enough to compete and win a championship that year. That’s the hand Jonathan Kuminga was dealt,” he explained. The Warriors hope the acquisition of Porzingis will strengthen their frontcourt, pairing him with Draymond Green and other veterans like Stephen Curry and Moses Moody.
The Warriors currently sit 8th in the Western Conference with a 29-25 record, fighting to secure playoff positioning. Green emphasized the importance of team chemistry in transition periods. “Even when things are changing, it’s about keeping the culture intact and helping young guys like Kuminga navigate the challenges,” he said.
Golden State has reshaped its roster post-deadline, now featuring Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, Porzingis, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski as primary rotation players. The team aims to balance championship experience with younger talent, even as they adjust to new roles and rotations following the trade.
