As the Lakers likely stand pat amid a wild NBA Trade Deadline, one report has linked four-time champion Draymond Green to the franchise, provided the Warriors manage to win the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
Lakers Interested in Warriors’ 4-Time Champ, But Not Via Trade
Windhorst Explains Interest Between Lakers, Draymond Green
While appearing on ESPN’s “Get Up” Wednesday morning, insider Brian Windhorst provided an update on the Warriors’ pursuit of Antetokounmpo. He revealed Green’s plan if the Warriors traded him to Milwaukee, which includes a potential escape to the City of Angels.
“He is in the offer to the Milwaukee Bucks that is out on the table. And Draymond has taken action on himself. If he were traded, his plan would not be to remain in Milwaukee. He would want to be moved on. A team that would be possible if he were traded. I can’t emphasize the number of ‘ifs’ I’ve said enough before I say this, but the Los Angeles Lakers would be a team he would have interest in and they would have interest in him. But that would require the Bucks to take action on Giannis.”
In his 14th season, Green is averaging 8.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 41.3% from the field, 31.9% from three and 70% from the free-throw line, His friendship with LeBron James is well-documented on social media, with Green recently expressing one regret to the California Post’s Melissa Rohlin:
“I’ve always wanted to [play with him]” Green said. “Saying I wanted to go to his team, that’s not the case. I’m very comfortable in my situation with 30 [Curry] and what we’ve built and what we have. But I think him and Steph shared the want to take the court together, and they got the opportunity to do that in the Olympics in Paris. I’ve always wanted the opportunity. Just to experience it, to see how he thinks, to see, all right, what I could do to help him and his thinking. Or what can I learn and pick up about what he’s thinking.”
The Case For and Against Green Coming to the Lakers
On one hand, landing Green from the buyout market would be a unique opportunity for the Lakers, turning a once-formidable rival into a championship-level asset. Green’s offensive versatility and unwavering defensive toughness have made him a cornerstone in Golden State for over a decade, tenets that could easily translate from the Bay to LA.
However, that same enforcer mentality has also harmed Green—and the Warriors—more than it has helped. He has already faced two ejections this season (22 for his career, excluding playoffs) with ten technical fouls. He’s also no stranger to confrontations—against the officials or his coach. With the second half of the campaign underway, the Lakers cannot afford to add those kinds of distractions into the locker room. Even if Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt engaged in similar battles, they managed to leave their emotions on the floor.
In addition to his outbursts, Green’s limited shooting (career 32% 3PT) and lack of athleticism hinder his case to join the Lakers, who remain in search of 3-and-D wings that can help their present and future. Though joining the Lakers would surely be the perfect ending for Green’s career, he does not fit the team’s timeline and is better off staying with the Warriors or finding a new home elsewhere.
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