The idea of trading Draymond Green seemed unthinkable after the Warriors locked him in with a hefty four-year, $100 million contract last summer. Despite murmurs about Green exploring other options, especially with the Lakers, and speculation about the Warriors seeking a deal, nothing materialized. Green committed to the Warriors on the first day of NBA free agency, closing the door on any potential separation.

However, recent events have reignited talks of a Draymond Green trade. Following his second on-court incident within a month—first choking Rudy Gobert on November 15 and then throwing a punch at Jusuf Nurkic on December 13—the NBA’s observer class is buzzing about the possibility.

Green’s Suspension & Trade Talks

With Green now suspended indefinitely, the question of a trade looms larger. Yet, the Warriors have given no indication that they are actively exploring a move for Green. Moreover, few teams in the league possess the resources to make such a deal. According to one NBA executive, there’s only one team that could: the Lakers.

Draymond Green Trade Would Be a Big Warriors Undertaking
It’s important to note that the Lakers may not be actively seeking a Draymond Green trade. Despite his defensive prowess aligning well with their team, concerns about his offensive contribution, averaging 9.7 points, may be a hindrance. Even with his impressive 42.9% 3-point shooting and 5.8 assists, fitting Green into the Lakers’ offensive scheme could be challenging.

Limited Options for a Draymond Green Trade

The NBA executive explains,
“If you take all of the factors into consideration in any kind of Draymond Green trade, there are only so many teams that could handle him. You need the right pieces around him that accentuate what he does.”
The Lakers might fit this criteria, but it’s crucial to emphasize that the Warriors have not shown any intent to trade Green.

Lakers Could ‘Handle What He’s Bringing’

The potential trade with Green goes beyond on-court dynamics; it involves managing his unique personality and playing style. The Lakers are suggested as the only feasible option, not because they are actively pursuing a trade, but due to their capacity to handle what Green brings.

The NBA executive concludes,
“LeBron James could handle it. Draymond has been aligning himself with LeBron for a couple of years now. It’s not just about the on-court aspects and the conflicts. The contract, the approach—there are not many teams he would want to play for. Most teams, including ours, could not handle a Draymond Green trade. The Lakers could. While it might not be their priority, they have the capability.”