Draymond Green, one of the loyal “warriors” and iconic figures of the Golden State Warriors dynasty, has spent all 13 of his NBA seasons with the Bay Area team. He’s been an indispensable part of their defensive system and a true on-court leader, contributing to four NBA championships. However, a recent report has sent shockwaves through the NBA community, revealing that Draymond Green was nearly traded to a Western Conference rival in the midst of this very season. What happened, and what blockbuster deal almost completely altered the league’s landscape?
Body: The Inside Story of a Near-Blockbuster Trade and its Potential Impact
According to Logan Murdock of The Ringer, who shared this bombshell on “The Zach Lowe Show” podcast, there was a deal in place to send Draymond to the Memphis Grizzlies. This revelation is particularly intriguing, not just because the Grizzlies are a formidable Western Conference opponent, but also due to the proposed return package. Murdock disclosed that Steven Adams, who was once the “catalyst” that almost beat the Warriors in the first round (in the past), would have come back to Golden State. Additionally, Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones were also reportedly part of the trade package.
What’s truly astonishing is that the sole reason this deal fell through was due to the most minute detail: Tyus Jones was rerouted to Washington. The Warriors’ strong desire for a backup point guard led them to abandon the deal without Jones included. Sometimes, the smallest, seemingly insignificant details can completely derail a blockbuster trade in the NBA.
The prospect of seeing Green in different colors than the Green and White of Michigan State or the gold and blue of the Warriors would certainly have been a strange sight. He would have had the opportunity to play alongside fellow Spartan alum Jaren Jackson Jr., the leading center for a Memphis team that was bounced in the first round this year.
Draymond Green, now 35 years old, earned All-Defensive First Team honors for the fifth time this year, a testament to his phenomenal defensive impact. While he has struggled significantly on the offensive end, his defensive role remains irreplaceable for the Warriors, helping them reach the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Conclusion: Draymond’s Future and the Warriors’ Message
With one year left on his contract and a player option for the 2026-27 season, Draymond Green is entering the twilight of his career. While it’s highly unlikely he’ll be dealt at this point, the revelation of this near-trade proves one thing: the Warriors’ front office is not afraid to consider sending away one of their franchise cornerstones if they believe it’s necessary for the team’s future. This raises questions about the Warriors’ long-term strategy as the Stephen Curry era potentially nears its end. Will Draymond finish his career in Golden State, or was this near-trade just the first sign of a larger shift coming to the Bay Area?