Draymond Green Acknowledges Possible Trade from Warriors Ahead of Deadline

Draymond Green has openly acknowledged the possibility of being traded from the Golden State Warriors as speculation mounts ahead of the NBA trade deadline on March 15, 2024. The 35-year-old forward’s name has been linked to a potential blockbuster deal involving Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, a scenario that has prompted personal reflections from Green about his future in the league.

Green Contemplates His Legacy

Green, who has been with the Warriors since he was selected as the 35th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, has witnessed numerous teammates come and go during his tenure. Until recently, he had managed to remain a fixture in the Warriors lineup, particularly during their championship runs in the 2010s. This changed when Steve Kerr, the team’s head coach, initiated a private conversation about Green’s potential departure.

The moment Kerr inquired about how Green’s wife, Hazel Green, would handle such a change struck a chord with the player. “That’s when it got real to me,” Green stated during a media session following a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. “I was like, I haven’t spoken to her about it.” This interaction highlighted the emotional weight of the situation, as Green considered the implications of leaving the only franchise he has ever known.

Acknowledging the Business of Basketball

With a current salary exceeding $25 million this season, Green’s contract is a pivotal element in any potential trade scenario involving Antetokounmpo. While he expressed a desire to finish his career with the Warriors, he is also realistic about the nature of professional sports. Green reflected on his journey, saying, “At some point, it’s going to come to an end, whether that’s in a day or two, or a year or two.” He added that he must be at peace with the idea that his basketball career cannot last indefinitely.

In a conversation with his son, DJ, en route to the game, Green discussed the realities of being traded in the NBA. “It’s a business,” he explained. “Most players get traded multiple times in their career, and I have been one of the blessed few to stay with one organization for over a decade.” His son’s confusion over the prospect of a trade reflects the emotional complexity involved, especially for a player so deeply embedded in a single franchise.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Green expressed gratitude for his time with the Warriors. He has contributed to four NBA championships, earned nine selections to the All-Defense team, and made four All-Star appearances. “If that’s what’s best for the organization, that’s what’s best for the organization,” Green stated. “I’m not like, ‘Oh man, they (expletive) me over’ or something like that.”

As the Warriors prepare for their upcoming games against the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers, Green remains focused on his performance. He acknowledged he might not know how long he will continue with the team, saying, “Yeah, it is business as usual. Come out, play, go home, come back tomorrow.”

Should the trade occur before the deadline, Green is ready to embrace the next chapter of his career. “I don’t know if it ends at 13 and a half, but if it does, what a (expletive) run it has been,” he concluded, demonstrating a sense of acceptance and pride in his accomplishments with the Warriors.