If it feels like Draymond Green is turning the ball over more than ever, that’s because he is. The Golden State Warriors’ versatile power forward is currently averaging a career-high 4.1 turnovers per 36 minutes, ranking tied for the third-highest turnover rate in the NBA. For a player known as a defensive anchor and playmaker, this spike is alarming, and it reflects deeper issues in Golden State’s current roster and offensive structure.
Green has always struggled with turnovers at times, but never like this. Several factors have converged to make him a liability in transition and half-court sets. Perhaps most glaringly, the Warriors are lacking play finishers. Klay Thompson’s exit left a vacuum in the offense. While he wasn’t perfect — fans have long debated his shot selection — Thompson consistently acted as a safe, turnover-averse hub. If you got Thompson the ball with space, it was going up, and that threat relieved pressure on other playmakers.
Since Thompson left, the Warriors haven’t replaced him. The addition of Jimmy Butler, while improving certain facets of the offense, hasn’t helped Green’s turnover problem as much as expected. Butler is a skilled playmaker, but not a floor-spacer. Green is often forced into risky interior passes to Butler, which defenses now anticipate and intercept. Additionally, the team lost Jordan Poole, a player who previously provided reliable drive-and-finish threat. In 2022-23, Golden State featured four primary finishers: Curry, Poole, Wiggins, and Jonathan Kuminga. That number has dwindled, leaving Green more responsible for creating scoring opportunities himself.
Defenses have noticed. Green is taking a career-low 3.8 two-pointers per 36 minutes, down from 5.9 just two seasons ago. Opponents no longer fear his ability to score inside and are aggressively jumping passing lanes to force steals. Green, standing at 6’6” and not naturally equipped to finish consistently in traffic, has struggled to adapt. The solution isn’t as simple as taking more shots; it requires a shift in his role and mindset. He needs to score more instead of attempting high-risk passes, particularly on drives or when rolling to the basket off Curry’s pocket passes.
Charting Green’s turnovers from a recent game illustrates the problem vividly. Several of his errors — including miscontrolled passes at the top of the arc, telegraphed lob attempts, and failed rip-through plays — boil down to a combination of hesitation, poor decision-making, and lack of focus. Some turnovers were clearly influenced by defensive pressure, but multiple errors were avoidable, highlighting a mental aspect to the problem.
Green’s first, fourth, and seventh turnovers in that game were simply moments of lost focus. Avoiding those alone might have swung the game in the Warriors’ favor. The fifth and eighth turnovers stemmed from refusing to look to score, instead attempting passes that a savvy defense could easily read. His second turnover was more the fault of teammate positioning, and the remaining errors were situational. Together, they show that while external factors play a role, Green’s decision-making must evolve.
Another issue is Golden State’s lack of rim threats. With Curry and Butler on the floor but Kuminga sidelined, Green’s responsibility to create offense has skyrocketed. He is forced into passing situations that previously wouldn’t exist, leading to an increased turnover rate. Offensive rebounding and free-throw rates, both at multi-year lows, further indicate a drop in assertiveness near the basket. Green’s playmaking is valuable, but only if combined with assertive scoring and finishing ability.
Ultimately, Green’s turnover surge is a symptom of both roster limitations and personal execution issues. While the team’s lack of play finishers amplifies the problem, Green must also “lock in” mentally, make safer passing choices, and recognize when to take the ball to the hoop himself. The Warriors’ success depends on his ability to adapt, particularly in high-pressure moments where a single misstep can decide the outcome.
In summary, Draymond Green’s turnovers are at a career-high for a reason: fewer offensive threats, aggressive defenses, and lapses in focus. If Green can adjust — taking smarter passes, increasing scoring aggression, and reclaiming control over possessions — the Warriors can mitigate this weakness. If not, his turnovers may continue to be a critical vulnerability, threatening to cost Golden State games even when other stars are performing at their peak.
For fans and analysts, the message is clear: the Golden State Warriors need Draymond Green at his best, both mentally and physically. The next few months could define not just the team’s season but the legacy of one of the game’s most versatile and influential players.
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