Draymond Green Shuts Down Warriors’ Missing Playoffs Narrative: “You Know What We Always Going For”

Draymond Green responded to critics who are doubting the Warriors' chances of making the playoffs next year.

Draymond Green Shuts Down Warriors’ Missing Playoffs Narrative: “You Know What We Always Going For”

Draymond Green (Image credits - ESPN)

Draymond Green has completed 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors. Drafted as a second-round pick in 2012, Green has been an integral member of the Warriors’ dynasty over the past decade.

He lifted an NBA championship in his third season. Since then, the expectations on Green and the Warriors have been to win a championship. He went on to lift three more titles in 2017, 2018, and 2022. However, things have not been the same since their last championship run.

During the media day press conference, Stephen Curry was asked about no one believing the Warriors will make the playoffs this season. His reaction made headlines as he was stunned that expectations had dropped from a championship to making the playoffs.

Green used the opportunity to address questions about his team making the playoffs next season on his podcast.

When you’re trying for a championship, you have to put together a great process. The answer people are looking for is ‘Oh man, we come out competing and make the playoffs.’ That ain’t the answer. The answer is put together a great process so that down the stretch, you can get Jimmy back, you can get Moses back. You know what we always going for. And if we fail we fail.

Draymond Green on The Draymond Green Show

After a poor 2025-26 campaign where they missed the playoffs, the Warriors were expected to bolster their roster in the summer. While they pursued LeBron James for several weeks, they failed to sign him and did not make any major additions to their squad. Hence, many have ruled them out as title contenders and view them as a Play-In team at best in the coming season.

However, Green believes that it is a process for the course of the season and their mentality is to go as deep as possible in the playoffs. The former Defensive Player of the Year tried to recruit James in the summer, but the King ended up signing for the Philadelphia 76ers in the end.

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Draymond Green gives first impressions of the Warriors training camp

The Warriors know what it takes to win a championship better than most. Hence, they are realistic and not heading into the new season with championship aspirations from the beginning.

Head coach Steve Kerr returned on a two-year deal after many expected him to leave this summer. While Curry and Green are back, a few new faces have joined the roster.

With the experts still split on what to expect from this team, Green gave a positive report after the first days of training camp.

Day 1 was the hardest training camp practice I’ve ever had in my career… was probably the longest practice I’ve ever had… these first 3 days of practice, shi* been different, you can’t have the season we had last year and just come back the next year, like ‘alright, we pick up here and do the same thing over again’, that’s delusion, no one around here is delusional.

Draymond Green on The Draymond Green Show

On media day, Kerr spoke about how the low expectations surrounding his team may be a positive heading into the new season. With Jimmy Butler expected to return early next year from his ACL tear, the Warriors will need to stay competitive till he is back, along with Moses Moody.

Draymond Green gives Yaxel Lendeborg his respect

While the Warriors did not make any big moves in the summer, they did make an interesting addition to their roster in Yaxel Lendeborg. The Dubs were handed their highest draft pick in five years at number 11 and used it to draft Lendeborg from the Michigan Wolverines.

Yaxel Lendeborg
Yaxel Lendeborg (Image credits – Bleacher Report)

Speaking on his podcast, Draymond Green admitted that he came away from Jimmy Butler’s players-only camp impressed by Lendeborg’s performances.

Yaxel’s talked a lot of sh**, that kid can play. He is really good. Now I don’t wanna put some expectations on him because the NBA game is different, man… He understands the game, he’s smart. And this was really my first time getting eyes on him in person. I was very very impressed, I’m excited to see where he can take it.

Draymond Green on The Draymond Green Show

It was an interesting pick for the Dubs because Lendeborg entered the NBA draft as the oldest player in the class. He joins them with some experience.

It will be interesting to see how far he can develop in the coming season despite Kerr’s reluctance to give young players a lot of minutes in their rookie seasons. Lendeborg won the 2026 NBA Summer League Championship Game MVP, and all eyes will be on him next season.

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