Could Draymond Green Finally Join the Lakers? A Defensive Shake-Up Might Be Closer Than You Think
After years of whispers, speculation, and summer workout photos fueling the rumor mill, the idea of Draymond Green in a Lakers uniform suddenly feels less like fantasy and more like a very real possibility. The latest buzz? If the Golden State Warriors make a run at Giannis Antetokounmpo, Green could be the odd man out - and Los Angeles might be in prime position to pounce.
Let’s unpack this.
Green has been a Warrior for all 14 years of his NBA career - a four-time champion, a Defensive Player of the Year, and the emotional heartbeat of Golden State’s dynasty. But in 2026, the Warriors are no longer the untouchable juggernaut they once were.
Klay Thompson is gone. Stephen Curry is the only true franchise cornerstone left.
And with Draymond’s production dipping this season, the front office may be more open than ever to moving on - especially if it means landing a generational talent like Giannis.
And that’s where the Lakers come in.
Why Draymond to the Lakers Makes Basketball Sense
The Lakers currently sit near the bottom of the league in defensive rating - 25th, to be exact. For a franchise that prides itself on toughness and championship pedigree, that’s a glaring issue.
Meanwhile, Golden State ranks seventh, and a big reason for that is Draymond Green. His defensive versatility, high-IQ rotations, and ability to quarterback a defense from the frontcourt are still elite, even if the box score doesn’t always show it.
This season, Green is averaging 8.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, nearly a steal, and just under a block per game in under 27 minutes. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but his impact goes far beyond stats.
He’s a connector - someone who can guard multiple positions, communicate coverages, and elevate the floor of a team’s defense. And that’s exactly what the Lakers are missing.
LA has struggled with rim protection and perimeter containment, a dangerous combo in today’s NBA. Adding Green wouldn’t solve every problem, but it would go a long way toward stabilizing a unit that has lacked identity on that end of the floor.
The LeBron-Draymond Factor
Of course, there’s also the LeBron James connection. Their friendship is well-documented, and while past rumors have leaned heavily on that relationship, this time feels different.
This isn’t about vague offseason speculation - it’s about the Warriors potentially needing to move Green to make room for a superstar. If that door opens, the Lakers could be one of the few teams both willing and able to take him on.
There’s no guarantee Green would be a seamless fit. At 35, he’s not the same player he was five years ago.
He’s still a below-average shooter and has a reputation for picking up technicals at inopportune times. And while he brings championship DNA, he doesn’t align with the youth movement Los Angeles has tried to build around stars like Luka Doncic - assuming that remains the plan.
But make no mistake: if the Lakers want to win now, Draymond Green makes them better. Immediately.
What It Would Take
The financial side of this isn’t as complicated as you might think. A package built around Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and Dalton Knecht could get the Lakers close to matching Green’s salary. That gives Milwaukee - in this hypothetical three-team deal - two expiring contracts and a young player in Knecht who might benefit from a fresh start.
Green has a $27.6 million player option for next season, so there’s some long-term cap flexibility in play depending on whether he opts in or follows LeBron wherever he goes next. Either way, it’s a manageable risk for a team that’s trying to get back into true contention.
Legacy, Loyalty, and the Business of Basketball
Let’s be clear: the Warriors aren’t just tossing Draymond into the trade machine for fun. He’s a franchise icon whose jersey will one day hang in the Chase Center rafters.
Golden State doesn’t win four titles without him. But if the front office believes acquiring Giannis is the next chapter in their story, tough decisions will have to be made - and Green, along with Jonathan Kuminga, represents the kind of salary ballast needed to make a blockbuster work.
And if the Bucks aren’t interested in taking on Green directly, rerouting him to a third team like the Lakers makes a lot of sense. It’s clean, it’s logical, and it gives all parties something they want.
The Bottom Line
For the Lakers, this is about opportunity. The defense is broken, and Draymond Green - flaws and all - is one of the few players available who could fix it in a hurry. He brings leadership, edge, and a defensive identity that’s been missing in LA since their 2020 title run.
Will it happen? That depends on a lot of moving pieces - Giannis, the Warriors’ front office, Milwaukee’s priorities. But for the first time in a long time, the stars might actually be aligning.
Draymond in purple and gold? It’s not just a pipe dream anymore.
It’s a possibility. And if it happens, the ripple effects across the league could be massive.