One NBA expert offered a forthright recommendation as the Warriors struggled in 2023-24.
After Monday's miserable 116-107 loss to the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies, Stephen A. Smith, Kendrick Perkins, and Shannon Sharpe discussed Golden State's trade deadline options on Tuesday morning's "First Take" episode. Perkins suggested breaking up the Warriors' Big Three.
Klay Thompson's body language suggests transformation. The Golden State Warriors are showing that you can't bind your emotions and feelings for too long "Perkins added. "Emotions are there. 'Man, we're so attached to Klay Thompson. Draymond Green is incredibly special to us. Both must be swapped. Both. Dray and Klay."
Curry, Thompson, and Green have won four titles in six NBA Finals appearances in the Bay for over a decade. Perkins thinks it's time to say goodbye to the league's longest-serving triumvirate.
Thompson's erratic season continued Monday as he scored nine points, zero rebounds, and three assists in 34 minutes and was minus-22 in plus/minus. Thompson said on Jan. 2 that he had a mind-shifting chat with Warriors coach Steve Kerr, which changed his early-season issues before Monday's loss
In seven games since then, he averaged 21 points, 45.6 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from 3-point range, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 31.1 minutes. However, Perkins' observation of the sharpshooter's body language and anger on Monday raised concerns.
After 16 games, 12 of which were "indefinite" suspensions, Green returned Monday. The Warriors forward scored seven points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 24 minutes off the bench, but Golden State dropped its worst game of the season. Perkins has played in only 16 of the Warriors' 40 games this season and is looking to stay on the floor for his teammates, but he feels enough is enough.
The former NBA champion turned commentator doesn't think Thompson or Green's careers are ended, but he thinks a fresh start may help the Warriors.
Perkins said, "Then talk to Steph about his plans. Want to lose for two years and build more, or do we need to discover a destination for you? Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins is undervalued. Trade Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. I think Klay Thompson will continue. I think he needs a change.