Joe Lacob argued the Warriors never considered parting ways with their longtime star.
Golden State Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob pushed back on the notion that the franchise attempted to trade Draymond Green away at the past deadline.
Draymond Green
Draymond Green
Draymond Green
MIN: 26.6
PTS: 8.33 (44.64%)
REB: 5.72
AS: 5.17
ST: 0.8
BL: 0.63
TO: 2.63
GM: 46
“He was never discussed in a trade; Mike [Dunleavy] was 100% correct what he said,” Lacob told Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard. “I know he got a lot of crap for that. And it did look defensive. I mean, I think he would say that in retrospect.
“But the truth is, the way these things are, you don’t just easily banter around names unless you’re getting serious. … We never really got engagement on some of the big deals to the point where you get into specific names. People can look at the roster and they can make assumptions about who might or might not have to go if you’ve got a certain person."
As the Warriors have previously emerged as one of the top suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Green was identified as the team's top trade chip. Green himself was already open enough about the potential departure looming on his end.
Yet in the end, the longtime Warriors star remained in the Bay Area, as the Milwaukee Bucks didn't move the needle on the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
Lacob stands firm that it won't be easy to part ways with Green, as the veteran has been the heart and soul of the Dubs and the team's dynastic era.
“But I can tell you he was never shopped in any way. He’s a core person in our franchise. You don’t trade a Draymond Green simply or easily. You do it if you have to, and you’re getting tremendous value and you’re improving your team," Lacob added.
Even Draymond has said he understands that. You have to look at these things. But his name was never specifically discussed with another team. And that’s the truth.”
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