The Golden State Warriors are staring down a potential seismic shift at this year’s trade deadline - and Draymond Green’s name is right in the middle of it.
According to league sources, the Warriors have actively included Green in trade discussions as they pursue a blockbuster deal for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s not just a ripple - that’s a tidal wave for a franchise that’s built its dynasty with Green as one of its emotional and defensive cornerstones.
Green’s been a Warrior for 14 seasons - a four-time NBA champion, four-time All-Star, and the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year. He’s been the heartbeat of Golden State’s defense and the vocal leader in the locker room. But now, with the franchise looking to retool around Stephen Curry and squeeze one more title run out of this core, even a player as foundational as Green isn’t off-limits.
“I’ve been here for 14 years,” Green said when asked about the swirling trade rumors. “I have no reason to sit and worry about leaving.
But if I’m traded, that’s part of the business. I ain’t losing no sleep, though.
I slept great last night.”
Classic Draymond - unbothered, direct, and self-assured. But behind that calm exterior is the reality that his future in the Bay is suddenly uncertain.
The Warriors’ front office, led by GM Mike Dunleavy and owner Joe Lacob, is reportedly all-in on trying to land Antetokounmpo. And to make the numbers - and the deal - work, Green’s contract is a key piece.
He’s making $25.9 million this season, with a player option for $27.7 million next year. Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, is on a $54.1 million deal this year, with a massive $62.8 million player option looming for the 2027-28 season.
This isn’t just a cap maneuver. It’s a calculated swing at pairing two generational talents - Giannis and Curry - both represented by the same agency, Octagon.
The idea? Create a new superduo that could extend Golden State’s championship window and immediately vault the Warriors back into serious title contention.
Milwaukee, for its part, is listening. Antetokounmpo has made it clear he’s open to a change of scenery, and the Bucks are evaluating their options. That doesn’t mean a deal is imminent, but it does mean the Warriors are pushing hard, and Green is part of the pitch.
It’s worth noting that while Green is on the table, Jimmy Butler - who’s currently sidelined with a torn ACL and expected to miss the rest of this season and most of next - is not. Golden State isn't interested in moving Butler as part of any potential deal, signaling that they still see value in his long-term presence despite the injury.
The Warriors haven’t made it past the second round of the playoffs since winning the 2022 title over the Boston Celtics. With Curry still playing at an elite level, the urgency to surround him with the right pieces is hitting a fever pitch.
Draymond Green has been a defining figure in this era of Warriors basketball - the fire to Curry’s finesse, the enforcer to Klay Thompson’s calm. But as the trade deadline approaches, the franchise may be ready to turn the page in pursuit of another banner.
And if that means saying goodbye to a legend, it’s a move Golden State seems willing to make.