The Golden State Warriors are known suitors in the potential Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. Previously, many assumed that the Milwaukee Bucks would take back Jimmy Butler in a return package, as an easy salary match for Giannis. That’s not necessarily the case. HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto reports that Butler is unlikely to factor into the deal at all. In that case, salary matching concerns make Draymond Green a highly plausible piece in any Giannis-Warriors trade.
Green isn’t fazed by possibility of being packaged in Giannis deal
At least publicly, the 35-year-old veteran isn’t worried about his sudden involvement in Giannis rumors. Since being drafted 35th overall out of Michigan State, Green has spent his entire career a Warrior.
“I’ve been here 14 years. I have no reason to sit and worry about leaving,” he said Friday. “But if I’m traded, that’s part of the business. I ain’t losing no sleep, though. I slept great last night.”
Is there a touch of insecurity in those words? Should there be?
Clearly Green doesn’t think so, but he recognizes the “business” aspect of life in the NBA. “I’m not going to go up there and be like, ‘Yo, so tell me what y’all doing. 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.”
Oct 11, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (center) is flanked by head coach Steve Kerr and forward Draymond Green as he is presented his gold medal for his performance for Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris before taking on the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
There are multiple “ifs” necessary to fulfill in the case of an impending Giannis trade involving Green. One, the Bucks would actually have to move him by the February deadline, an outcome that many teams believe is unlikely after engaging with Milwaukee executives in initial negotiations. They suspect the Bucks are simply gauging Antetokounmpo’s market value for a possible move later on.
Two, they would have to choose Golden State over other suitors who can offer a more appealing package of young players.
Three, in the case of a Warriors trade, the report that Butler, out for the year with a torn ACL, would not be part of the outgoing package would need to be true.
Aside from giving the Bucks a healthy player, swapping in Green for Butler would impact the deal in another way.
In a Butler package, including young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski would require another outgoing salary from Milwaukee. As one of the Bucks’ few $20-plus million salaries, Kyle Kuzma would be the cleanest fit as the main additional piece unless the front office decides to pull the plug on Myles Turner, using his salary instead.
Substituting Green would reduce the number or large contracts changing hands. Excluding draft capital, a Warriors package could feature Green and Kuminga plus, say, Podziemski and Moses Moody. The Bucks could give them Giannis, Thanasis, and Kevin Porter Jr. From a money perspective, that works. No Kuzma or Bobby Portis in that version of the trade.
Mar 6, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is fouled by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the first quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Should the Bucks make that deal? It’s not especially enticing. Golden State’s young players don’t compare to the potential of other teams’ offerings. Green makes little sense on Milwaukee’s roster; there’s a decent chance he would re-routed elsewhere. At this point in his career, however, outside his unique value in Golden State’s system, his market value is unlikely to be high.
The main draw of a Warriors deal would come in the form of future first-round picks and/or pick swaps. Only the latter of those selections would have real value, as Golden State would figure to be a strong contender over the next few seasons. In effect, the Bucks would be delaying an earnest rebuild far out into the future. From that perspective, any Warriors deal, with or without Green, is far less attractive than it would seem at first glance.
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