Saturday night didn’t break the Lakers’ way, and it wasn’t just about what happened on the court.
Two names Los Angeles had reportedly been monitoring-Keon Ellis and De’Andre Hunter-were swept off the board in a significant three-team trade involving the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Ellis is now headed to Cleveland, while Hunter finds a new home in Sacramento.
For the Lakers, it’s a missed opportunity, but not a closed door. The trade deadline is still ahead, and the front office has time to pivot.
One name being floated in trade chatter? Draymond Green.
The 35-year-old Warriors forward, long seen as the emotional engine of Golden State’s dynasty, is being mentioned in hypothetical scenarios that could shake up the league. In one such potential blockbuster, the Warriors would swing big for a superstar-Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo-and Green could end up as part of the outgoing package.
The Bucks wouldn’t be a likely landing spot for Green, which opens the door for a third team to get involved. That’s where the Lakers could come in.
Let’s be clear: Green isn’t being given away. He’s a franchise cornerstone in Golden State, the kind of player whose jersey will eventually hang in the rafters at Chase Center.
The Warriors don’t win four championships without him. But if Golden State is aiming to bring in a generational talent like Giannis, they’ll need to move salary-and Green, along with Jonathan Kuminga, fits that bill.
Now, would Draymond Green be a perfect fit in Los Angeles? It’s not a slam-dunk in the traditional sense, but there’s a compelling case to be made.
Offensively, Green isn’t going to light up the scoreboard. That’s never been his game.
But what he brings to the table is a high-level basketball IQ and elite playmaking from the forward spot. He sees the floor like a point guard, keeps the ball moving, and knows how to get stars in their spots.
On a team built around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, that kind of connective tissue matters.
Defensively, Green is still a tone-setter. He plays with an edge-sometimes too much-but his ability to defend multiple positions, anchor a switch-heavy scheme, and bring toughness in the paint is something the Lakers could absolutely use. He’s not afraid to get physical, and he forces opponents to earn everything around the rim.
This season, Green is averaging 8.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. He’s shooting 41.6% from the field and 32.1% from deep. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but they tell the story of a player who still contributes across the board.
For the Lakers, who have been searching for the right blend of grit, experience, and versatility, adding a player like Green could be a savvy move-if the opportunity presents itself. There’s no certainty it will happen, and the dominoes would have to fall just right, but with the trade deadline looming, Los Angeles still has cards to play.
And if Draymond Green ends up in purple and gold? That’s a storyline made for Hollywood.