Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob firmly denied rumors this week that Draymond Green had been included in trade discussions during the team’s failed attempt to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. Speaking from the team’s headquarters, Lacob emphasized Green’s importance to the franchise and defended general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.’s stance amid growing speculation.
He was never discussed in a trade; Mike was 100% correct what he said,
Lacob told Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard.
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. … But I can tell you he was never shopped in any way.
Lacob reinforced Green’s value within the organization, making it clear that any trade involving the veteran forward would only happen under extraordinary circumstances.
He’s a core person in our franchise,
Lacob said.
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. … But his name was never specifically discussed with another team. And that’s the truth.
Heightened Tensions at Trade Deadline Reveal Organizational Pressure
The owner’s remarks brought renewed attention to a tense period during the recent NBA trade deadline when Dunleavy faced intense scrutiny about Golden State’s high-profile but ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Antetokounmpo. Dunleavy was quick to reject any suggestion that Green was offered in negotiations with the Milwaukee Bucks, pushing back strongly against persistent rumors.
Well, you’re putting words in my mouth,
Dunleavy said at the time. That’s an unbelievable assumption.
When asked if Jimmy Butler’s name had come up instead, Dunleavy refused to engage further, firmly shutting down speculation about the team’s negotiation details.
No, no, no, he said.
We’re not doing that. I’m not going on the roster, talking about who’s in trades and who’s not. We don’t do that.
This exchange underscored the intense pressure facing the Warriors as their core group—responsible for four NBA championships since 2015—fights to maintain its edge amid advancing age and shrinking opportunities to extend their dominance.
GM Mike Dunleavy Clarifies Trade Talk Misunderstandings
In a later press availability, Dunleavy attempted to clear up confusion surrounding Green’s rumored trade involvement, acknowledging the media speculation but emphasizing it never gained serious traction.
I’ve walked that back a little bit,
Dunleavy admitted.
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.
He was clear that the possibility of Green leaving the Warriors never came close to becoming reality in his view.
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 — and I’ve conveyed that to him.
Dunleavy also noted the emotional impact such rumors may have had on Green, something the veteran forward had not faced as intensely in previous seasons.
When stuff comes up in the media, it feels different for players,
he explained.
I think that’s the first time it happened for Draymond.
Draymond Green Reflects on Trade Uncertainty and Team Dynamics
Contrasting with official statements, Green shared a more nuanced perspective on the situation during an episode of The Draymond Green Show. He revealed that talks surrounding a potential Giannis trade stirred genuine uncertainty about his future with Golden State.
When you’re not winning, everything becomes possible,
Green admitted, acknowledging the realities facing the team.
He described conversations with both Dunleavy and head coach Steve Kerr where the notion of trading key players, although not finalized, was considered to make any deal work.
If we were to do a deal for Giannis, you or Jimmy would have to be in the trade just to make it work,
Green said. He didn’t rule it out.
Green also spoke candidly about how the speculation affected him personally, including the stress of contemplating relocation and the impact on his family’s life, concluding that he did not want to continually face such uncertainty going forward.
Financial Considerations Shaped the Giannis Trade Discussions
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Golden State’s strategy for acquiring Antetokounmpo involved including Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and tentative inclusion of Milwaukee native Brandin Podziemski, along with valuable draft picks. The Warriors faced the challenge of matching salaries, as Green’s $25.9 million and Kuminga’s $23.8 million contracts approached Giannis’s $54.1 million salary.
However, Jimmy Butler’s $54.1 million salary offered the clearest path to maintaining Green while balancing the payroll constraints. Despite exploring these options, the Bucks ultimately chose to retain Antetokounmpo, leading Golden State to halt negotiations rather than intensify their efforts.
Implications for Warriors’ Future and Team Cohesion
The public denials and internal uncertainties highlight the high stakes for the Warriors as they navigate roster decisions crucial to sustaining their championship window. Joe Lacob’s unequivocal defense of Draymond Green signals the franchise’s commitment to its longstanding core, even amid external pressures and internal whispers of change.
While the Green trade rumors have now been publicly quashed, the episode reveals the fragile balance between maintaining team chemistry and managing expectations within a competitive league. The Warriors will face ongoing challenges as they adapt their roster and strategy in pursuit of future NBA titles.
Draymond discusses how crazy things got in the days leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline and his conversation with Mike Dunleavy
“He said "We've spoke about Giannis, we spoke about what picks we'd send them, we haven't really talked about the players that would go back yet…… pic.twitter.com/y8mN6nNJgB
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) February 7, 2026
