Inside the Warriors’ Trade Deadline Drama: Dunleavy’s Press Conference Raises More Questions Than Answers
The Golden State Warriors have never been strangers to high-stakes drama, but Saturday night’s pregame press conference with general manager Mike Dunleavy added a whole new layer to the team’s already chaotic trade deadline saga.
In a tense and, at times, contradictory 11-minute session with reporters, Dunleavy attempted to clarify the team’s moves - and non-moves - leading up to the deadline. Instead, he may have added more confusion to an already murky situation.
Porzingis In, But What About the Rest?
Dunleavy opened the session by expressing confidence in the team’s acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis. The big man’s health has been a question mark, but Dunleavy insisted he’s optimistic Porzingis will be ready to contribute.
But the conversation quickly shifted to what didn’t happen - specifically, Golden State’s failed pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. When asked whether the team’s aggressive interest in the two-time MVP impacted other potential deals, Dunleavy brushed it off.
“I don’t think it did,” he said. “Because we ended up making a move here to get Kristaps. So for that reason, I guess it didn’t really affect anything.”
That’s a curious stance, especially in light of reports that the Warriors had “extensive conversations” with the Grizzlies about Jaren Jackson Jr., only to pause those talks due to the possibility of landing Antetokounmpo - a move that would have required first-round picks. Jackson, of course, ended up being dealt to the Jazz for three of those coveted picks.
It’s hard to square that report with Dunleavy’s claim that the Giannis pursuit didn’t impact other moves. Especially when the Porzingis deal didn’t cost Golden State any of its first-round assets.
The Draymond Dilemma
The press conference took another sharp turn when Draymond Green’s name came up. Green, the emotional heart of the Warriors for over a decade, found himself entangled in the trade rumor mill - a rare position for him.
On his podcast, Green said Dunleavy directly discussed the possibility of a Giannis trade with him, including what picks might be involved. While Green didn’t say he was definitively on the block, he made it clear that conversations were had.
But when asked about Green’s status, Dunleavy downplayed it.
“I’d walk that back a little bit,” he said. “His name was not in conversations.
Other than the ones where teams call me and ask about him, which they do every year. So nothing's new there.”
Dunleavy went on to say that Green’s name wasn’t seriously discussed in trade talks, and that the idea he was nearly moved was “greatly exaggerated.”
That’s a tough sell. Based on how NBA salary matching works, a deal for Antetokounmpo would’ve required the Warriors to send out a major contract - and Green’s deal fits that bill.
If it wasn’t him, it would’ve had to be someone like Jimmy Butler. Which brings us to the next twist.
The Jimmy Butler Curveball
Reporter Danny Emerman followed up with a logical question: If Green wasn’t part of any real discussions, was Jimmy Butler?
That’s when Dunleavy’s patience seemed to wear thin.
“No, no, no, we’re not doing that,” he said. “I’m not talking about going down the roster, talking about who’s in trades and who’s not. We don’t do that.”
But here’s the thing - Dunleavy had already opened that door by speaking at length about Green’s status. Once you start naming names, it’s fair game for reporters to ask about others. And given the salary realities of a potential Giannis deal, it’s not “unbelievable” - as Dunleavy called it - to assume that one of those two players would have been included.
The GM seemed increasingly defensive as the questions kept coming, even cutting off Emerman mid-question to challenge the premise. “You’re putting words in my mouth,” Dunleavy shot back. “That’s an unbelievable assumption.”
Except it wasn’t. It was basic cap math.
A Press Conference That Raised Eyebrows
The fallout from the press conference was swift. Dunleavy’s comments didn’t just fail to clear the air - they stirred it up. Whether it was contradicting reports about Jaren Jackson Jr., downplaying Green’s involvement in trade talks, or bristling at reasonable questions about Butler, the GM left more questions than answers.
And while Dunleavy insisted that nothing with Draymond was ever close, the veteran forward himself seemed to feel otherwise. That disconnect - between front office messaging and player experience - is something to watch closely as the Warriors try to stabilize a season that’s been anything but predictable.
It’s also worth noting that the Warriors still reportedly have their eyes on Antetokounmpo this summer. If that’s the case, then Saturday’s press conference might not be the last time we hear these names floated in potential blockbuster scenarios.
For now, though, Golden State has Porzingis, a still-intact core, and a front office trying to navigate a delicate balancing act between chasing another title and preparing for the future. But after this press conference, it’s clear that the communication between those in charge and those on the court might need a little fine-tuning.