Draymond Green, Warriors, Warriors trade, Giannis trade
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Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point shot against the Detroit Pistons in the first half at Chase Center on January 30, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
Much like Stephen Curry, the idea of Draymond Green in a non-Warriors uniform is unfathomable. However, there’s a real possibility the longtime defensive anchor of the franchise could be on the move by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline in a potential deal for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
After Friday’s 131-124 loss to the Detroit Pistons, Green addressed the trade rumors.
“I’ve been here for 14 years,” Green said, via ESPN’s Anthony Slater. “I have no reason to sit and worry about leaving. But if I’m traded, that’s part of the business. I ain’t losing no sleep though. I slept great last night.”
Anthony Slater
Draymond Green as the trade deadline approaches: “I’ve been here for 14 years. I have no reason to sit and worry about leaving. But if I’m traded, that’s part of the business.”
“I ain’t losing no sleep though. I slept great last night.”
Warriors to Trade Draymond?
Green has reportedly been aligned with the Warriors‘ front office on decisions in the past, offering counsel on the roster, including potential trades. He reportedly urged the Warriors not to trade for Lauri Markkanen a few years ago and also advocated pursuing LeBron James at the 2024 trade deadline.
As such, he was asked if he would discuss his future with GM Mike Dunleavy and governor Joe Lacob ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
“I’m not going to go up there and be like, ‘Yo, so tell me what y’all doing,'” Green responded. “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.”
Slater and other Warriors insiders like Monte Poole have noted that every player on the Warriors other than Stephen Curry is on the table in a potential Giannis trade. Golden State reportedly previously ruled out the idea of trading Green or Jimmy Butler III, but all that changed when the latter suffered a season-ending ACL tear. While Butler’s $54M salary makes it easier to make a deal for the “Greek Freak,” the Warriors could win the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes due to their ability to trade four first-rounders.
Warriors Trade Target: Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly still weighing the pros and cons of pulling the trigger on a Giannis trade either by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline or during the offseason. The latter would allow rival teams to put together better draft-heavy trade packages, but it would rob Antetokounmpo of the chance to ink a four-year, $275M extension with his new team in October. As such, they could choose to do right by their longtime franchise star, per some insiders.
A trade deadline move also greatly benefits the Warriors, who can offer the best draft package among the leading suitors — New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and Warriors — until the offseason period. Furthermore, teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets — armed with more attractive assets than the Warriors — are reportedly set with their teams until the end of the 2025-26 season, as they fear a Giannis trade would disrupt their momentum and continuity.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick believes a Giannis trade gives the Warriors a last realistic shot to extend Stephen Curry’s title window — just when it appeared dead and buried.
“It sure feels like now or never for the Warriors, who can offer up to four first-round picks right now and a couple of promising young players (Kuminga and Podziemski) who could be part of the Bucks’ long-term future,” wrote the insider.