Draymond Green Unbothered by Giannis Trade Rumors, but Would He Be the Key to a Warriors-Bucks Deal?
The Golden State Warriors have long been linked to the idea of making a blockbuster move for Giannis Antetokounmpo. And while Jimmy Butler’s name had been floated as a likely piece in any potential trade package to match Giannis’ salary, that scenario appears to be off the table.
According to league insider Michael Scotto, Butler-who’s currently sidelined for the season with a torn ACL-is unlikely to be involved in any such deal. That shifts the spotlight to another high-profile veteran: Draymond Green.
And Green? He’s not losing sleep over it.
“I’ve been here 14 years. I have no reason to sit and worry about leaving,” Green said on Friday.
“But if I’m traded, that’s part of the business. I ain’t losing no sleep, though.
I slept great last night.”
That’s classic Draymond-confident, grounded, and fully aware of the business side of the NBA. He’s been the emotional engine of Golden State’s dynasty, a four-time champion who’s helped define an era of basketball in the Bay.
But he’s also a 35-year-old forward with a hefty contract and a game that, while still impactful, is deeply tied to the Warriors’ unique system. If Golden State is serious about chasing Giannis, Green becomes a natural candidate to help make the money work.
And he knows it.
“I’m not going to go up there and be like, ‘Yo, so tell me what y’all doing,’” Green said. “I’ll be the same as I always am.
My phone is always on. I’m always willing to collaborate in any way I can.”
That’s the mindset of a veteran who’s seen it all-rings, rebuilds, and rumors. But if a trade is going to happen, several dominoes still need to fall.
The Giannis Trade Puzzle
First, the Bucks would have to actually decide to move Giannis before the February trade deadline. That, on its own, is a massive “if.”
Around the league, there’s growing skepticism that Milwaukee is ready to pull the trigger. Teams engaging with the Bucks in preliminary talks believe the front office is more interested in gauging the market than making an imminent move.
Second, even if Giannis is made available, the Bucks would need to choose Golden State over other teams that can offer younger, more enticing assets. The Warriors’ potential package is built more on experience and future picks than on blue-chip prospects.
Third, Butler’s absence from the trade math changes the financial landscape. Without his salary to offset Giannis’, Draymond Green becomes the logical piece to make the numbers align.
And that’s where things get interesting.
What a Warriors Package Could Look Like
A potential deal could involve Green and a mix of Golden State’s young talent-Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody. In return, the Warriors would receive Giannis, his brother Thanasis, and Kevin Porter Jr.
From a salary-matching standpoint, that trade checks out. It also avoids the need for Milwaukee to include another large contract like Kyle Kuzma or Bobby Portis just to make the math work.
But from a basketball perspective, it’s far less clean.
Green doesn’t exactly fit Milwaukee’s current roster or timeline. If he’s included, there’s a real chance he’d be rerouted to a third team. Outside of Golden State’s system-where his defensive IQ, playmaking, and leadership are uniquely valuable-his market value isn’t what it once was.
As for the young pieces, Kuminga has shown flashes, Podziemski is a promising rookie, and Moody is still developing. But compared to what other teams might offer for a two-time MVP in his prime, it’s not a particularly overwhelming package.
That leaves the draft capital. The Warriors could sweeten the deal with future first-round picks and pick swaps.
But let’s be honest-those picks don’t project to be especially valuable in the near term. If Golden State lands Giannis, they’re back in the title mix, and those picks slide to the back end of the draft.
So for Milwaukee, it’s essentially a bet on the Warriors declining years down the road.
Would the Bucks Bite?
From Milwaukee’s perspective, a Warriors deal-whether it includes Green or not-has limited appeal. The young talent doesn’t stack up against what other teams can offer.
The draft assets are more about long-term speculation than immediate rebuilding tools. And Green, while a respected champion, doesn’t fit the Bucks’ direction unless he’s flipped again.
So while the Warriors remain a fascinating suitor in the Giannis sweepstakes, the path to a deal is murky. Draymond Green may be the most logical contract to move, but that doesn’t mean he’s the key to unlocking a trade. For now, he’s staying ready, staying professional, and sleeping just fine.
As he should.