The Golden State Warriors have their eyes set on Giannis Antetokounmpo, and while they face steep competition for the Milwaukee Bucks‘ superstar, they are rumored to be ready to offer nearly anything to get him.
Based on new reports, the Warriors are now more likely to include Draymond Green in a deal for Antetokounmpo, rather than Jimmy Butler. The four-time champion with Golden State knows that, and while he’s addressed his future and the possibility of being moved, his status remains up in the air.
However, if he is traded to the Bucks, there is the assumption Green wouldn’t want to stay in Milwaukee. With that, there have been talks to include a third team in a trade, one where Green would land instead. Additionally, Green has recently discussed the idea of teaming up with LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers, and according to ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst, that is certainly a possibility.
Draymond Green Lakers Rumors Amid Warriors Giannis Trade Talks
Speaking on Wednesday’s edition of Get Up, Windhorst said that there is mutual interest between Green and the Lakers. While James’ future with the team is extremely uncertain, the current Warriors big man stating his interest in playing with the league’s all-time leading scorer has only added to the speculation.
“If he were traded, his plan would not be to remain in Milwaukee. He would want to be moved on. A team that would be possible if he were traded. I can’t emphasize the number of ‘ifs’ I’ve said enough before I say this, but the Los Angeles Lakers would be a team he would have interest in and they would have interest in him,” Windhorst said. “But that would require the Bucks to take action on Giannis.”
Despite the decade-plus-long connection between Green and current Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, Windhorst believes the former’s name now being tossed in trade rumors could hint that his time in Golden State is coming to an end.
“What I think is interesting is they have now crossed the Rubicon here with Draymond Green,” he added. “If he is not traded by tomorrow, it would not surprise me if these talks were revisited in the summer in the last year of his contract, whether it would be in another Giannis offer or somewhere else. And I think that’s where we’re getting to in this story.”
“If he were traded, his plan would not be to remain in Milwaukee. He would want to be moved on.”
(Via @GetUpESPN / h/t @RealGM )
The Warriors are pushing for an Antetokounmpo trade before the deadline, and while the Minnesota Timberwolves are making a strong case for him as well, he remains the top and only target for Golden State.
Draymond Green On Trade Rumors
Firstly, as it relates to Green’s interest in playing with James, and potentially joining the Lakers to make that happen, he spoke to Melissa Rohlin of the California Post about that opportunity.
“I’ve always wanted to [play with him],” Green said. “Saying I wanted to go to his team, that’s not the case. I’m very comfortable in my situation with 30 [Curry] and what we’ve built and what we have. But I think him and Steph shared the want to take the court together, and they got the opportunity to do that in the Olympics in Paris. I’ve always wanted the opportunity. Just to experience it, to see how he thinks, to see, all right, what I could do to help him and his thinking. Or what can I learn and pick up about what he’s thinking?”
“I’ve always wanted to [play with him]. Saying I wanted to go to his team, that’s not the case. I’m very comfortable in my situation with 30 [Curry] and what we’ve built and what we have. But I think him and
Despite his numerous on-court run-ins with James, Green and the Lakers star remain close friends. Green was not on the 2024 Olympic Team that won gold in Paris, and he wants the opportunity to do what Curry did, and team up with James.
Now, as it relates to his name in trade rumors, Green has been open and honest about his uncertain future.
“I think a lot of people want to know how I feel about it,” Green said, per ESPN’s Anthony Slater. “Like, am I upset about it? I’m not at all. If [trading me is] what’s best for this organization, that’s what’s best for this organization.”
“I’ve been here 13½ years,” Green continued. “That’s longer than probably 98% of NBA players have been in one place…What a (expletive) run it has been. That’s just how I feel.”
Windhorst’s comments about crossing the Rubicon (see Julius Caesar) make it seem as though Green is now seriously considering whether ending his career in Golden State is the best move.
For now, he remains on the team, but if Antetokounmpo becomes available, a notion that continues to grow in uncertainty as the days go on, he’ll likely be moved, but perhaps not to Milwaukee. The Lakers need all the defense help they can get, and while Green is in the twilight of his career, it would certainly be an interesting addition.
Warriors Get Major Draymond Green Update In Giannis Trade Rumors