The Golden State Warriors’ chances of making a deep run in the playoffs have dissolved as the team continues to deal with significant injuries. One of the players trying to keep everything together is four-time NBA champion and All-Star Draymond Green. However, a top NBA insider revealed the Warriors nearly moved Green to a notable rival.
Why the Warriors Almost Traded Draymond Green at the Deadline
NBA insider Brett Siegel revealed that Green was nearly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers at the trade deadline this past February. In his latest column on ClutchPoints,
Siegel said, “At one point, there was a proposal put together by the Dubs that would have sent Green to the Lakers for a future protected draft pick, sources said.” Siegel added, “The only way the Warriors were willing to trade Green was if they had a real chance of trading for Giannis.”
Green has provided veteran leadership this season, averaging 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. He’s striving to earn his 10th All-Defensive Team selection, though he’s averaging less than a steal and block per game for the first time since his rookie season.
From the big stage to The Bay stage 🏀 pic.twitter.com/gjaNk2BxaL
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 3, 2026
His role on the team has fluctuated in recent years, which is why there’s been speculation the last few seasons regarding whether he’ll finish his career with the Warriors, especially after Klay Thompson’s exit.
Siegel clarified that trading Green was only discussed if there was a chance the organization could acquire Milwaukee Bucks franchise player Giannis Antetokounmpo. Green is essentially expendable only if the team can acquire one of the NBA’s elite players to pair with Stephen Curry in Curry’s final seasons.
The Lakers being mentioned as a suitor for Green is unsurprising, as they were viewed as the only team Green considered in free agency before signing a four-year, $100 million deal with the Warriors in 2023. The link is based on Green’s strong relationship with Lakers star LeBron James, who is also facing an uncertain future.
Green is trying to hold things down in the short term, as the Warriors prepare to play in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament. Curry has been out of action for two months but is nearing a return, as the team looks to build momentum before the end of the regular season.
If the Warriors advance through the Play-In Tournament, they’ll likely meet either the Oklahoma City Thunder, whom they went 0-4 against during the regular season, or the San Antonio Spurs, whom they went 2-2 against.
