Jeff Teague has sparked fresh debate around the Warriors’ offseason plans with a bold prediction involving Draymond Green’s future in Golden State. As pressure builds on the franchise to maximize Stephen Curry’s remaining title window, the former NBA guard believes the Warriors could be preparing for a drastic roster shakeup rather than pursuing the superstar names most commonly linked to them.

“They’re going to trade Draymond. This is just me thinking out loud,” Teague said on Club520podcast. “They’re gonna trade Draymond and somebody else. Go for Embiid, bro. I’m thinking you’ve got to make a splash. You can’t get Giannis. You can’t get Kawhi. You’ve got to get somebody who is effective for Steph.”

Teague’s comments arrive at a crucial moment for Golden State. Steve Kerr’s recent extension reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to competing immediately, while Curry’s championship ambitions continue to shape the front office’s approach as it enters another pivotal offseason. That urgency has naturally fueled speculation around another blockbuster move capable of restoring the Warriors to contender status.

Rather than focusing on dream scenarios involving Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kawhi Leonard, Teague argued that Joel Embiid represents the most realistic elite option available. He also suggested that pairing the former MVP with Curry could create a fresh start strong enough to revive Embiid physically and mentally after years of pressure in Philadelphia.

With inconsistency and injuries surrounding bigs Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, a trade for another star center could be vital. Recently, the Stein Line’s Jake Fischer reported:

“I’ve been advised to expect no definitive effort this offseason to try to offload Embiid.”

But with another semifinal exit, and the emergence of guards Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe, the 76ers can rebuild without the Process. Plus, Embiid recently left the door open for a possible departure.

“I don’t know who’s going to be here. I don’t even know if I’m going to be here, but whatever happens, happens,” he said during the team’s exit interviews.

The logic mirrors how contenders historically behave when generational stars age. The Lakers emptied assets for LeBron James support pieces, Brooklyn sacrificed depth for James Harden, and Phoenix detonated its future draft flexibility for Kevin Durant. Championship windows rarely survive caution.

Golden State has already shown a willingness to prioritize upside over comfort. The franchise stunned the league by recruiting Kevin Durant at the peak of a 73-win core, then later used a taxpayer mid-level exception to land DeMarcus Cousins despite major injury concerns.

That Cousins’ experiment also revealed the risks of star-name chasing. His fit inside Steve Kerr’s motion offense proved uneven, opponents ignored him on the perimeter, and the Warriors struggled to maintain their usual pace and spacing when possessions slowed around post isolations.

An Embiid pursuit would demand far greater sacrifice than the Cousins signing ever did. Golden State no longer owns the financial flexibility that once enabled opportunistic additions, meaning any realistic deal would require matching salary, moving foundational veterans, and surrendering future draft control.

The former MVP will be on a three-year, $187.9 million extension next season. That’s why trading for Draymond Green could be the decision that Jeff Teague hinted at. Green was part of trade rumors last February. He was linked as a potential salary filler for Antetokounmpo. The former DPOY’s four-year, $100 million contract extension was viewed as a match for the Milwaukee Bucks star’s three-year, $175.3 million deal. However, the deal never came through,

Green now holds a $27.67 million player option for the 2026-27 season, making his upcoming offseason contract decision the primary focus for his career and the team’s roster moves. With Curry’s ultimatum and the Golden State’s heightened approach to adding another star, this might be the end for the 14-year veteran.

The Warriors act on Stephen Curry’s decision

“You don’t want to be in a situation the Lakers were in those last three years with Kobe. Stephen Curry to Danny Emerson of the San Francisco Standard, while drawing a direct parallel to the scenario he is trying to avoid. I know he came off the Achilles injury, but… they were a lottery team, and it was more just how many points can Kobe score down the stretch of his career. I don’t want to be in that scenario.”

So, the Warriors are expected to aggressively explore the superstar market this offseason. LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kawhi Leonard have all been linked to Golden State as potential targets.

“They’re going to be pulling out all the stops to do something,” according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick. “The desperation meter, it’s the Lakers and Warriors in the same neighborhood right now. He’s not going to be okay just coasting down the back end of his career. So whether it’s LeBron, whether it’s Giannis, whether it’s Kawhi, they’re going to be making all of the phone calls.”

The Golden State Warriors reportedly offered four first-round picks for Giannis Antetokounmpo at the February trade deadline and were turned away. Now that they are back in the market, Green is one of the options. But if the Golden State isn’t considering a Green trade, then trading for Jimmy Butler could be the other option.

The Warriors’ willingness to even discuss Green internally marked a major shift for a franchise that spent more than a decade building its identity around the Curry-Green partnership. ESPN reported Green’s name surfaced in active trade conversations because his $27.6 million salary created a cleaner path toward matching Giannis’ contract than other roster combinations.

Green never publicly pushed back against the speculation. Instead, he acknowledged the reality of the business side of the league while trade chatter intensified near the deadline.

“I’ve been here for 14 years,” Green said after being linked to Milwaukee rumors. “If I’m traded, that’s part of the business. I ain’t losing no sleep.”

That response mattered because it reflected how dramatically Golden State’s priorities have evolved. Earlier championship runs were built on continuity, internal development, and system chemistry. The current front office operates with far more urgency, driven by the shrinking timeline attached to Stephen Curry’s prime.