The Golden State Warriors made a major move prior to February's trade deadline. The Warriors dealt Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for one-time NBA champion Kristaps Porzingis.
It was previously reported that Draymond Green was involved in trade negotiations. The leading rumor was that the four-time All-Star would be one of the pieces in a trade offer for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In an interview with The San Francisco Standard's Tim Kawakami, Warriors owner Joe Lacob denied Green's involvement in trade discussions.
"He was never discussed in a trade… 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. 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."
A Veteran Core
Green was drafted by the Warriors with the No. 35 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He is best known for winning four NBA championships as a key defender within Golden State's core.
This season, the 35-year-old Green is averaging 8.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists over 47 games. He is the reigning NBA Hustle Award winner, an honor given to players whose efforts cannot be measured by traditional statistics.
Other notable players for Golden State include 37-year-old Stephen Curry, 36-year-old Jimmy Butler, and 39-year-old Al Horford. The franchise has one of the oldest rosters in the league.
In terms of team success, the Warriors hold the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings. At 29-27, pressure is building on Golden State to pick up momentum in the latter half of the season.
Based on Lacob's recent remarks, it can be presumed that Green will continue to be part of the long-term future of the Warriors. He is in the midst of his 14th season with the franchise.
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