Warriors get disappointing Draymond Green trade news

The Golden State Warriors didn’t acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline, but there’s no question they were interested in poaching the two-time MVP from the Milwaukee Bucks. 

While several reports indicated that Draymond Green was on the trade block, Warriors owner Joe Lacob delivered disappointing post-trade deadline news regarding Green that could cause problems for the organization this summer.

“He (Green) was never discussed in a trade; Mike (Dunleavy Jr.) was 100% correct what he said,” Lacob said Friday, according to the San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami. “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.”

“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.”

With Green being one of the Warriors' most enticing trade assets, it’s concerning that the seven-time NBA champions were unwilling to include him in a potential deal for Antetokounmpo. Without Green, it would have been difficult for the Dubs to pull off a midseason deal for the 10-time All-Star. 

If the Warriors' stance doesn’t change between now and the beginning of the offseason, it’s unlikely Golden State will prevail in the second iteration of the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. The Warriors will be able to sign Green to a new deal this summer and feature him in a deal for Antetokounmpo, if they please.

Needless to say, the Warriors will face a pivotal decision in the offseason.

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