The Golden State Warriors came dangerously close to a franchise-altering trade at the deadline, and Draymond Green is now opening up about just how real the possibility of him being moved for Giannis Antetokounmpo actually was.
In a candid conversation with ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Green acknowledged that he fully understood the business side of the NBA and what a potential blockbuster deal involving the two-time MVP would have required.
“I understand this business probably as good as any player,” Green said. “I understand like, yo, this is Giannis Antetokounmpo. They not just about to trade me for a bag of peanuts. It would’ve almost been a point of pride.”
While Green approached the situation with a pragmatic mindset, he was clear about one thing: he had no interest in suiting up for the Milwaukee Bucks.
“I’ll be honest though,” he added. “I didn’t want to play for Milwaukee.”
Los Angeles Teams Were on Green’s Radar
According to Slater, if a trade had materialized, Green had alternative destinations in mind. League sources indicated that rerouting to either Los Angeles team was something Green considered.
A move to the Los Angeles Lakers would have placed him alongside LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves — creating a veteran-heavy core with immediate championship aspirations.
Meanwhile, a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers would have paired him with Kawhi Leonard, one of the league’s premier two-way wings and a two-time Finals MVP.
The Emotional Toll of Trade Speculation
Green later expanded on the uncertainty during an episode of The Draymond Green Show, admitting that the possibility of being traded forced him to confront the realities of his situation in Golden State.
“When you’re not winning, everything becomes possible,” Green said.
He recalled conversations with head coach Steve Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. that introduced the idea of potential trade frameworks.
“If we were to do a deal for Giannis, you or Jimmy would have to be in the trade just to make it work,” Green remembered Dunleavy telling him. “He didn’t rule it out.”
The speculation led Green to think about the broader implications — relocating his family, starting over in a new city, and the end of his long partnership with Stephen Curry. Ultimately, he recognized he did not want to navigate that instability.
Warriors Core Remains Intact — For Now
In the end, no deal for Antetokounmpo materialized, allowing the Warriors to keep their core together. A trade would have ended one of the most successful player partnerships of the modern era — Green and Curry — which has been the foundation of Golden State’s dynasty.
Instead, Green remains a central figure as the Warriors fight for playoff positioning. In Wednesday’s 109–106 win over the Brooklyn Nets, he contributed seven points, five rebounds, three assists, one block, and two steals.
Over his last six games, Green has averaged 8.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in just over 30 minutes per contest, continuing to provide the versatile, high-IQ play the Warriors rely on.
Legacy Still Driving Green at Age 36
Now 36 years old, Green holds a $27.6 million player option for next season and remains motivated to add to his already impressive résumé.
According to Slater, Green owns the highest single-season plus/minus in NBA history (+1,070 in 2015–16), while his career mark of +4,487 ranks 15th all-time — with every player ahead of him either in the Hall of Fame or on a clear path there.
He is also chasing another All-Defensive team selection, which would put him alongside elite company including Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Scottie Pippen, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kevin Garnett with at least 10 All-Defense honors.
Final Word
Green made it clear he fully understood how close things came to changing in Golden State. While the core remains intact for now, the trade deadline speculation served as a reminder of the business side of the NBA — even for a player as synonymous with the Warriors as Draymond Green.
For now, Green is focused on helping the Warriors make a postseason push and continuing to build his legacy in the Bay Area. But as he openly admitted, he was prepared for the possibility that his time in Golden State could have ended in exchange for a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Warriors fans, what’s your reaction? Would you have been okay with trading Draymond Green in a package for Giannis Antetokounmpo? Or is keeping the core — Curry, Green, and the championship DNA — more important than chasing another star? Let us know in the comments below.
The Warriors’ season has been filled with ups and downs, but moments like this remind us how quickly things can shift in the NBA. Green staying put may have been the best outcome for continuity, but the “what if” will linger for a while.