Golden State Warriors: 3 players set to leave the team this summer

Draymond Green could exit the Golden State Warriors in the summer
Draymond Green could exit the Golden State Warriors in the summer

Entering the 18/19 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors were widely tipped to win a third straight Championship. After all, the Warriors had successfully convinced Kevin Durant to sign for another year, while they also added a fifth All-Star in the form of DeMarcus Cousins.

Nevertheless, Steve Kerr's men have struggled for consistency throughout the season, and after suffering a number of surprises loses throughout the month of March, doubts have emerged over the Warriors ability to win a third consecutive ring.

Durant's future also continues to be a major talking point, as the superstar is expected to depart during the offseason. However, KD is not the only man who could potentially depart this coming summer and here we take a look at three other players set to leave Golden State:


#3 Draymond Green

Draymond Green has been a pillar of the Golden State Warriors dynasty
Draymond Green has been a pillar of the Golden State Warriors dynasty

Draymond Green has been the heart and soul behind the Warriors' recent dominance, although there are growing concerns that the team may trade him this summer. The 29-year-old is set to hold contract extension talks with the Warriors over the postseason, and if a deal is not agreed upon, Golden State are likely to move him on before his existing deal expires in 2020.

Green himself revealed he won't take anything less than a max deal, although it remains to be seen if the Warriors are willing to give that sort of money to a 29-year-old whose performances have been declining over the past 12 months.

Athletic defensive stoppers with limited offensive powers tend to age badly in the NBA, and Green is not currently near the level that won him the Defensive Player of the Year award two years ago. Due to this, the Warriors have a big call to make on Green's future this season, and finances may dictate that he is moved on elsewhere in the league.

#2 DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins joined the Golden State Warriors last summer
DeMarcus Cousins joined the Golden State Warriors last summer

Ahead of this season, the Warriors informed DeMarcus Cousins that his stay in Golden State would only last a year. They were only able to acquire the All-Star due to his decision to take a huge salary reduction for the 2018/19 campaign and with one of the league's largest pay bills, the Warriors are reluctant to pay any more luxury tax.

Nevertheless, things can change quickly in the NBA and if Durant exits the team during free agency, the team could explore signing Boogie to a new deal. Cousins' displays have slowly improved as the season has progressed, with the center successfully proving his fitness after a potentially career-ending Achilles injury.

With this in mind, Cousins is likely to attract a wide range of offers in free agency and while the Warriors may wish to keep him after all, the 28-year-old will probably exit for a bigger payday elsewhere.

#1 Shaun Livingston

Shaun Livingston has won successive Championships with the Golden State Warriors
Shaun Livingston has won successive Championships with the Golden State Warriors

Throughout the early stages this season, Golden State's long-time veteran bench duo of Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston struggled for consistent form. As the season has progressed, Iguodala has managed to rediscover his form although Livingston has continued to falter - offering little impact from the bench.

The 33-year-old is averaging just 4.2 points and 1.9 assists in 15.3 minutes per game, and Livingston's field goal percentage has fallen under 50% for the first time since he joined the Warriors back in 2014.

The veteran point guard has also failed to develop a shot from beyond the arc, and despite his rapid decline, Livingston still stands to earn $7.6 million for the 19/20 season. Evidently, the former Clippers man is no longer worth this kind of money, and the Warriors are set to explore all avenues to move the veteran on.

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