The Golden State Warriors are in unfamiliar territory this season - not just in the standings, but in the locker room dynamic that’s been a hallmark of their dynasty. And right now, one of the most defining voices of that dynasty, Draymond Green, is at the center of the storm.
Tensions between Green and head coach Steve Kerr boiled over during a recent game against the Orlando Magic. In a moment that caught the attention of fans and league insiders alike, Green left the court mid-game and headed to the locker room. It wasn’t just a heat-of-the-moment outburst - it was a signal that things in Golden State aren’t quite right.
Green has been the Warriors’ emotional engine for over a decade. Since being drafted 35th overall in 2012, he’s built a legacy as one of the most versatile defenders of his era, a vocal leader, and a cornerstone of Golden State’s championship culture. But with the Warriors struggling to find their rhythm this season, the question that once seemed unthinkable is now being asked in NBA circles: Could Golden State actually consider moving on from Draymond Green?
That possibility, once off-limits, is now part of the conversation - and it’s not just fans speculating. Longtime NBA analyst Bill Simmons recently floated a few trade scenarios involving Green that raised some eyebrows.
One idea? A deal with the Los Angeles Lakers that would send Green to L.A. in exchange for Rui Hachimura and another contract to make the numbers work. Another hypothetical had Green heading to Sacramento in a larger package involving Jonathan Kuminga and draft picks, with All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis coming back to the Bay.
“I wonder if there was a Rui Hachimura and a contract for Draymond,” Simmons said on his podcast. “Let’s just mix this up and go in a different direction.
Or with a Sabonis sitting out there for the Kings. Could that be a Draymond, Kuminga, and picks and let’s just try to get a guy?”
Now, to be clear, none of these deals are in motion - but the fact they’re being discussed publicly speaks volumes about where the Warriors are right now. And there’s another wrinkle: Green’s well-documented friendship with LeBron James. That kind of relationship could make the Lakers an intriguing destination if Golden State ever seriously explored trade options.
Despite the off-court drama, Green has still been contributing on the floor. Through 24 games this season, the 35-year-old is averaging 8.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, along with nearly a block and a steal per game.
He’s not the stat-sheet stuffer he once was, but his impact - especially on the defensive end - remains significant. For a team looking to add toughness, leadership, and playoff experience, Green would be a valuable addition.
That said, the most likely outcome is still the simplest one: Green stays in Golden State. He and Kerr have been through too much together not to find a way forward.
This isn’t the first time emotions have run high between them, and it probably won’t be the last. But if the Warriors continue to slide and the playoffs start looking like a long shot, the front office may have to start weighing some difficult decisions.
For now, the situation is tense but not broken. The Warriors still have time to right the ship.
And Draymond Green, for all his fire and flaws, is still at the heart of whatever this team is trying to be. But if things don’t change soon, don’t be surprised if trade talks move from podcast fodder to front-office reality.