Draymond Green pulled back the curtain a bit on The Draymond Green Show, and what he revealed could’ve sent shockwaves through the NBA if it had actually come to fruition. In a recent episode, Green shared a conversation he had with Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.-a conversation that touched on none other than Giannis Antetokounmpo and the possibility of a blockbuster trade.
According to Green, Dunleavy didn’t mince words. The Warriors had internally discussed what it might take to land the Bucks’ superstar. Picks were part of the conversation, of course, but when it came to players, the message was clear: it would take a major piece to get a deal done.
“He said, ‘We’ve spoken about Giannis, we spoke about what picks we’d send them, we haven’t really talked about the players that would go back yet… but you or Jimmy would have to be in a deal for Giannis,’” Green recalled.
That’s “Jimmy” as in Jimmy Butler-another All-Star whose name has been floated in trade scenarios involving the Greek Freak. And while the idea of Giannis in a Warriors uniform has hovered in the rumor mill for a while, it reached a fever pitch just before the trade deadline.
Ultimately, though, the Warriors didn’t pull the trigger. Whether it was the asking price, timing, or Milwaukee’s reluctance to move their franchise cornerstone, the deal never materialized.
But the possibility was real enough for Green to start thinking about life beyond the Bay. He opened up about the personal side of trade talks-something fans don’t always get to see. Green said he had serious conversations with his family about potentially relocating to Milwaukee.
“I spoke to my wife. I spoke to my son in particular, just because his situation could change drastically,” Green said.
“If I’m not staying in Milwaukee, where am I going? Is my family coming?”
It’s a reminder that behind every trade rumor is a human being with a family, a life, and roots in a city. For Green, who’s been a foundational piece of the Warriors’ dynasty-helping deliver four championships in the last decade-the idea of leaving Golden State wasn’t just about basketball. It was about home.
Still, Green remains with the Warriors, and while his numbers this season-8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists per game on 41.2% shooting-aren’t eye-popping, his impact goes beyond the box score. He’s the defensive anchor, the emotional leader, and the connective tissue that has held this team together through multiple eras of success.
As for Giannis, he continues to play at an MVP-caliber level, averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on a blistering 64.5% from the field. Had the Warriors managed to land him, it would’ve been a seismic shift in the NBA landscape-a move that could’ve extended Golden State’s window and reshaped the Western Conference.
But for now, it’s a “what if.” And for Draymond Green, it’s back to business in the Bay, where he remains a Warrior-at least for now.