"Draymond has to fix Draymond first" - Kendrick Perkins urges Draymond Green to focus on basketball amid Warriors struggles
Aside from Steph Curry , no personality has been more vital to the Golden State Warriors' success than power forward Draymond Green . While there's no argument about who the best player on the Dubs is, there is also little doubt who the team's heartbeat is. With his ferocious defense, boisterous leadership and unreal connection with Curry that leads to some of the most beautiful plays in basketball, Green is an integral piece to the Warriors' puzzle.
This season, Dray hasn't been the player that many have grown accustomed to. His production across the board is down, and he's playing the fewest number of minutes since his second season in the league. Worst of all, he has gotten himself in plenty of hot water this season, arguing with head coach Steve Kerr in the huddle before walking out and getting ejected twice in an eight-game span.
Seeing all this unfold has led ESPN's Kendrick Perkins to lament Dray's behavior, saying he's not helping his longtime buddy Steph Curry by not being on the hardwood floor.
Draymond has to make himself available
The Warriors are an embattled franchise right now, trying to hold on long enough to give Steph one more solid shot at the big dance. Many expected them to perform well this season, especially after a morale-boosting finish last season that saw them go from battling for a spot in the Play-in Tournament to stunning the second-seeded Houston Rockets in the first round.
However, that hasn't been the case. The Warriors have hovered around the .500 mark all season. They are dealing with numerous issues, notably the standoff with talented, young forward Jonathan Kuminga , who Steve Kerr glued to the bench despite signing a two-year, $48-million contract this offseason.
Draymond's recent behavior hasn't helped, and Perkins implored the veteran to be a voice of reason within the organization during this time of immense uncertainty.
"Draymond just has to keep it basketball. Be on the floor. Be available. Be that leader we know him to be. Help this team through these times," Perk stressed . "In the next month or so, they're going to be aggressive when it comes to trading Jonathan Kuminga. But Draymond has to fix Draymond first."
Help for Steph
Despite being 37, Curry has been on point this season, averaging 28.8 points per game and performing feats of shooting brilliance that fans, teammates and opponents have grown accustomed to. However, many of his terrific performances have gone to waste as the Warriors have struggled to be consistent.
"I just feel sorry for Steph Curry right now. Steph keeps delivering. He keeps playing at an elite level — still a top-10 player in this game — and yet he's dealing with so much drama in the organization," Kendrick said. "Whether it's Steve Kerr and the Jonathan Kuminga situation, Steve Kerr and Draymond, Draymond getting ejected—Steph just wants to win at a high level."
"I just feel bad for Steph. I wish the Warriors would get it right. I wish Draymond would get it together, because the window is closing right in front of their eyes. You don't want to look back on this moment with regrets," he added.
On the one hand, the Warriors are an aging team in the twilight of their glory years. On the other hand, they're also a team that no opponent wants to face in the postseason, given their experience and savvy, provided they get there.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jan 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
