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Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. strongly denied reports that franchise cornerstone Draymond Green was offered in trade discussions involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, calling the speculation misleading and overstated.
Speaking to reporters Saturday before Golden State’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Dunleavy said Green was never seriously in play at the trade deadline.
“I’ve walked that back a little bit,” Dunleavy said. “His name was not in conversations other than the ones where teams call me and ask about him, which they do every year. So nothing’s new there.”
Dunleavy: Draymond Green Was Never Close to Being Moved
Dunleavy emphasized that Green’s future with the Warriors was never in jeopardy, despite widespread reports suggesting otherwise.
“The idea that he stayed with the Warriors past the deadline was greatly exaggerated,” Dunleavy said. “It was never, never a possibility of him not being here — remotely close to me, to be honest — and I’ve conveyed that to him.”
Dunleavy acknowledged that the volume of public speculation may have affected Green differently than in previous seasons.
“When stuff comes up in the media, it feels different for players,” Dunleavy said. “I think that’s the first time it happened for Draymond, so he’s dealing with it in a certain way.”
Conflicting Reports Emerge Around Giannis Trade Framework
The Warriors were frequently linked to Antetokounmpo during the deadline window, though no deal materialized.
NBA insider Marc Stein previously reported that Golden State’s conceptual framework in Giannis discussions included Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Milwaukee native Brandin Podziemski, and significant draft capital.
Golden State controls up to four first-round picks and a pick swap, giving the front office considerable flexibility among contending teams.
Dunleavy, however, rejected the notion that Green was ever formally included.
“But the reality is, nothing was close and nothing was considered,” Dunleavy said. “Draymond was not being shopped or talked about in deals, so it’s a little misleading.”
Bucks Hold Firm on Giannis, Warriors Pivot at Deadline
Ultimately, the Milwaukee Bucks decided against trading Antetokounmpo, closing the door on blockbuster scenarios that lingered through the deadline.
Once it became clear Giannis would remain in Milwaukee, Golden State pivoted quickly.
The Warriors finalized a deal sending Kuminga and Buddy Hield in exchange for center Kristaps Porziņģis, reshaping their frontcourt for the stretch run.
The move reflected a pragmatic shift by the front office, prioritizing size, rim protection, and floor spacing rather than continuing to pursue a superstar deal that was no longer
Warriors Bet on Porziņģis–Green Frontcourt After Butler Injury
Golden State envisions the Porziņģis–Green frontcourt pairing as a stabilizing force capable of carrying the team through the remainder of the season, particularly after Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending ACL injury in January.
With Butler sidelined, the Warriors recalibrated their rotation around versatility and matchup flexibility. Porziņģis provides shooting gravity and rim protection, allowing Green to remain the defensive anchor and primary communicator.
The organization believes the pairing preserves lineup adaptability on both ends of the floor while maintaining the identity that has defined Golden State’s success.
Draymond Green Addresses Deadline Tension
Green addressed the uncertainty himself in the days leading up to the deadline, offering an unusually candid reflection on the swirling rumors.
“I don’t know that it ends at 13 and a half, but if it does, what a [expletive] run it’s been,” Green told reporters. “I’ll take the fine for it. What a run it’s been.”
Green said he harbored no resentment toward the organization.
“If that’s what’s best for this organization, that’s what’s best for the organization,” he said.
After the Warriors’ 101–97 comeback win over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, Green admitted the final hours were tense.
“It got nerve-racking toward the end,” Green said. “But yeah, it is what it is. Move forward. It’s not something I want to get used to, though.”
Warriors Move Forward With Core Intact
With the deadline behind them, Dunleavy said both the organization and Green are aligned.
“I think he’s in a great spot,” Dunleavy said. “And so are we moving forward.”
As the Warriors turn their attention back to the court, Dunleavy’s comments aim to close the door on speculation that briefly overshadowed another chapter of Green’s long tenure in Golden State — while the franchise moves ahead with a recalibrated roster and its core intact.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo