Draymond Green believes the Golden State Warriors will be aggressive ahead of the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline. After a recent victory, Green acknowledged that team owner Joe Lacob is frustrated with the Warriors’ .500 record and expects them to make significant moves to improve their chances this season.
“We all know (Joe Lacob’s) pissed sitting at .500. You’d be a fool to sit back and think everything (is OK). Not with that guy,” Green said, via Anthony Slater. “You gotta expect they’ll be aggressive.”
Green also pointed to the recent blockbuster trade involving Luka Dončić as an example of how anything can happen leading up to the deadline. “Luka Dončić just got traded. So everyone think everything possible,” he added, signaling that the Warriors will be looking for opportunities to bolster their roster.
The Warriors (25-24, 11th in the Western Conference) recently extended their winning streak to two games with a 104-99 victory over the Orlando Magic (24-27) on Monday night. Despite a slow start, Golden State fought back to secure the win, with Andrew Wiggins leading the way with 25 points. Stephen Curry added 24 points, helping the Warriors overcome a challenging first half.
Wiggins was efficient, shooting 7-of-14 from the field and sinking 10 free throws. Moses Moody also contributed with 17 points, while rookie Quinten Post chipped in with 7 points and 7 rebounds in his third consecutive start. Golden State’s bench helped to keep the momentum going, with Post making a significant impact during his time on the floor.
The Magic were led by Cole Anthony, who posted 26 points, and Franz Wagner, who added 21 points and five assists. Despite Paolo Banchero’s 18 points, Orlando’s offense struggled, especially from long range. Banchero finished just 9-of-24 shooting, and the Magic shot a dismal 25% from beyond the arc.
Orlando dominated the first half, but Golden State bounced back in the third quarter, powered by Green’s return to the lineup after a seven-game injury absence. Green contributed 4 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in a well-rounded performance, helping the Warriors regain control.
Golden State struggled with its three-point shooting, finishing 25% from deep, but they made up for it by capitalizing on free throws, converting 24 of 34 attempts. Orlando, on the other hand, missed numerous opportunities from distance, finishing 8-of-32 from three-point range.
With just over a minute left and Orlando trailing by only two points (96-94), Moody hit a clutch three-pointer to extend the Warriors’ lead. The Magic had several chances to close the gap but couldn’t execute. Banchero missed key shots late in the game, and Goga Bitadze, who grabbed 14 rebounds, also missed critical opportunities in the final moments.
Defensively, Golden State was solid, forcing 13 turnovers and limiting Orlando’s fast-break opportunities. The Warriors’ discipline on offense, with just 9 turnovers, was another key factor in their win.
As the trade deadline approaches, Green’s expectations for the Warriors’ front office suggest that changes could be coming soon. With the team hovering around .500 and looking to improve, the front office’s actions in the coming days will be closely watched.
