Draymond Green Admits Clippers Could Be a Threat to Warriors This Season

Though the Los Angeles Clippers were hit with severe punishments following an investigation in which they were accused of salary circumvention that could damage their future, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green believes this team will be competitive in 2026-2027. 

The Clippers lost their first-round picks from 2029 to 2033, but they have made moves since the middle of last season to shape their roster into what it is now, and there's a chance this team could be more competitive in 2026. 

Draymond Green recently talked about the Clippers on his show, "The Draymond Green Show," and he claimed Los Angeles will have a similar season to the one the Phoenix Suns had last season. '

The Suns finished the 2025-2026 season with a 45-37 record and were 8th in the Western Conference. The Western Conference has an abundance of competitive teams going into next season, but Green believes they have the pieces to make it work. 

"This is not a Clipper team you're not just going to run over next year," Green said. "They got some good talent on that team... Ty Lue is not coming out and just laying down, I guarantee you."

Green mentioned the level of talent this Clippers team has and that they're built to compete. The Clippers have a mix of veteran players and young pieces that could elevate this team in 2026, and they also have a coach in Tyronn Lue who has seen what championship level teams look like in the past. 

In terms of how the Warriors match up with the Clippers, Golden State will have some work to do to get an edge over the Clippers. Right now, the biggest issue the Warriors have is the overall depth of this roster. 

Golden State will be without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody to open the season, and that could hurt them, considering there is no player on this team who can replace that level of production. The Warriors drafted Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick, but as a rookie, it's uncertain if he can produce at that level right away. 

The wings are a weakness for the Warriors because of injuries, but they're one of the Clippers' strengths. Los Angeles acquired Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick this offseason after trading Kawhi Leonard, and they signed former Lakers forward Rui Hachimura in free agency. 

Those are three players who have versatile play styles, and if the Clippers' coaching staff can find a way to get all three involved offensively, the Warriors could struggle against them. 

The Warriors will face the Clippers four times during the regular season in 2026-2027, and each matchup comes before the All-Star break.