Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green revealed on The Draymond Green Show that he experienced his first major exposure to trade speculation during the lead-up to the 2026 NBA trade deadline. The veteran described the situation as unfamiliar after more than a decade with the franchise built around continuity and winning.
“My experience in trade talks, it’s really the first time my name has really been mentioned in some serious trade talks outside of like maybe the first year of my career where I would have been a throw in or second year throw in,” Green said. “And I must tell you, it was a very interesting experience.”
The discussion came as Golden State explored blockbuster scenarios involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, with ESPN’s Anthony Slater reporting that Green’s name appeared within conceptual salary frameworks. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. later stated that speculation about active negotiations involving Green was “misleading and overstated.”
Green explained that winning had shielded him from trade chatter throughout most of his career. “The way you protect yourself from that is winning. When you’re winning, does not happen. When you’re not winning, everything becomes a possibility,” he said.
The four-time champion said conversations with team officials made the possibility feel real. “But obviously, if we were to do a deal with Giannis, you or Jimmy would have to be in a trade just to make it work,” Green recalled being told, adding that the uncertainty forced him to consider the impact on his family and future.
Golden State ultimately pivoted away from a superstar pursuit, sending Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis while also trading Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors for a future second-round pick. The roster reshuffle signaled a push to balance rim protection and floor spacing around Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler without fully rebuilding.
Green described the emotional toll of waiting for clarity as the deadline approached. “You’re just kind of sitting in this holding pattern wondering what’s to come,” he said, later adding that the process gave him “an appreciation for what a lot of NBA players…has dealt with.”
The Warriors currently sit eighth in the Western Conference at 29-25, positioned in the crowded middle tier of playoff contenders.
Despite the uncertainty, Green emphasized the organization’s competitive mindset moving forward. “Joe Lacob’s never going to be okay with just losing,” he said. “The Dubs want to be competitive…always going to try to stay competitive and give ourselves a chance.”
