Perkins: Draymond Green is now more liability than asset

Kendrick Perkins has delivered a blunt verdict on Draymond Green.

"Draymond Green has been more of a liability than an asset," Perkins said.

The former NBA champion and current ESPN analyst did not hold back.

"We know that he is known for as one of the best defensive players that we have ever seen. I get that," Perkins said.

"But I am talking about this season."

Perkins pointed directly at Green's declining numbers.

"Three points, 38% from the field, 26% from the three," Perkins said.

He then delivered the most cutting line.

"Unless it comes to fighting, this is our first time even having a discussion about Draymond and his impact on the game."

"And that is not okay," Perkins added.

The comments come after Green's latest ejection.

Green was tossed from Golden State's 116-113 win over the Phoenix Suns on November 2, 2026.

He picked up two technical fouls in the third quarter.

The sequence started with an altercation with Suns center Khaman Maluach.

It escalated into a confrontation with Dillon Brooks.

The ejection was Green's latest in a long career of on-court incidents.

WHERE GREEN RANKS ALL-TIME IN EJECTIONS

Green has built a reputation as one of the most volatile players in NBA history.

He ranks among the league's all-time leaders in ejections.

The exact number depends on the source, but he is consistently near the top of the list.

His history includes multiple suspensions.

In 2023, he was suspended indefinitely after striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić.

In 2024, he was suspended again for a flagrant foul.

Each incident brings renewed debate about whether his value still outweighs his volatility.

THE DILLON BROOKS CONFRONTATION

The November 2 game featured a heated scuffle between Green and Brooks.

Multiple NBA legends weighed in on the exchange.

Matt Barnes called out Brooks for backing down from Green.

"That tough s— ain't for him," Barnes said.

Another NBA legend, Eddie Johnson, used the moment to criticize Green.

Johnson called Green the "ultimate groin kicker" in a post on X.

He was reacting to comments from Warriors center Charles Bassey.

Bassey had questioned the Suns' physical approach after the game.

"Like I said, it was all fake because being physical doesn't mean you have to scuffle with guys," Bassey said.

"And I mean, that doesn't mean you're tough, you know what I mean?"

"Being physical is playing hard every possession."

Bassey added: "But I mean, what they're doing is all fake. That's a fake toughness, man."

Johnson responded by bringing up Green's history.

"Bassey is definitely a surprise element for the Warriors, but obviously his eyesight is a little off when you have the ultimate groin kicker on your team," Johnson wrote.

PERKINS' CRITICISM IN CONTEXT

Perkins' comments are notable because of who he is.

He won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008.

He played alongside stars like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

He knows what it takes to win at the highest level.

His critique focuses on this season specifically.

Green is averaging just 3 points per game.

His shooting percentages are career lows.

He is shooting 38% from the field and 26% from three-point range.

For a player making $24.1 million this season, the production is hard to justify.

Defensively, Green remains capable.

But his offensive decline has been steep.

Teams are increasingly willing to leave him open.

That clogs the floor for Stephen Curry and the Warriors' offense.

THE TRADE RUMOR CONNECTING GREEN TO SACRAMENTO

Green's name has surfaced in trade speculation.

Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey proposed a deal that would send Green to the Sacramento Kings.

The proposed trade: Green, Kristaps Porziņģis, Will Richard and a top-four-protected 2032 first-round pick to the Kings for Domantas Sabonis.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that Sabonis wants out of Sacramento.

"Quite frankly, Sabonis wants out of there, and if they can move him, they would. So he's not happy," Windhorst said.

Sabonis is playing on a $186 million contract.

He is a rebounding machine and a skilled passer.

For the Warriors, adding Sabonis would give them a dominant big man.

It would also mean moving on from Green.

That is a difficult decision for a franchise built on Green's defense and leadership.

But the numbers Perkins cited suggest the calculus may be changing.

THE ROOKIE FACTOR

One reason the Warriors may feel comfortable moving on is rookie Yaxel Lendeborg.

Former ESPN writer Bill Simmons has been effusive in his praise.

"Yaxel might have single-handedly saved the Steph era, like for real," Simmons said.

"Yaxel looked like mid-2010's LeBron in this game. I don't say that lightly because mid-2010's LeBron was awesome."

Simmons described Lendeborg's impact in detail.

"They're running the offense through him. He was all over the place on defense. He was rebounding. He was initiating stuff. He was getting to the basket whenever. It was unbelievable."

Lendeborg's emergence gives Golden State options.

If the rookie can carry a larger load, the Warriors may not need Green's defensive presence as much.

That makes a trade more feasible.

WHAT STEVE KERR SAYS

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has publicly supported Green.

After the Suns game, Kerr noted that Green was in good spirits.

He did not criticize his veteran forward.

But actions may speak louder than words.