Warriors Owner Denies Draymond Green Was Shopped at Trade Deadline

Lacob says Green was 'never discussed' in potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks

Mar. 1, 2026 at 6:07pm by Ben Kaplan

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Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob has denied reports that the team shopped star player Draymond Green at the recent NBA trade deadline, specifically in potential deals involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Lacob stated that Green's name was 'never specifically discussed with another team' and that he is a 'core person' in the Warriors' franchise who would not be traded 'simply or easily'.

Why it matters

The Warriors have been looking to make moves that could help them return to championship contention, and a potential trade for Antetokounmpo would have been a blockbuster deal. Lacob's comments provide clarity on the team's stance regarding Green's future and dispel rumors that he was being actively shopped around the league.

The details

According to reports, the Warriors had been involved in trade discussions with the Bucks regarding Antetokounmpo, and Draymond Green's name had been mentioned as a potential piece in a deal. However, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy and owner Joe Lacob have both stated that Green was 'never offered' and 'never discussed' in any trade talks. Lacob emphasized that Green is a 'core person' in the franchise and would not be traded 'simply or easily'.

  • The NBA trade deadline was on February 5, 2026.

The players

Joe Lacob

The owner of the Golden State Warriors.

Draymond Green

A star player for the Golden State Warriors.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

A star player for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Mike Dunleavy

The general manager of the Golden State Warriors.

Kristaps Porzingis

A player who was recently acquired by the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline.

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What they’re saying

“Mike was 100% correct what he said. But the truth is, the way these things are, you don't just easily banter around names unless you're getting serious. We never really got engagement on some of the big deals to the point where you get into specific names.”

— Joe Lacob, Owner, Golden State Warriors

“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.”

— Joe Lacob, Owner, Golden State Warriors

What’s next

It remains to be seen if the Warriors will continue to pursue a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the offseason, and whether Draymond Green's status with the team will be a factor in those discussions.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the delicate balance teams must strike between exploring all options to improve their roster, while also maintaining loyalty to core players who have been integral to the franchise's success. Lacob's comments suggest the Warriors value Green highly and are not inclined to trade him unless they receive an offer that significantly improves the team.