The Los Angeles Lakers could finally acquire Draymond Green as the future Hall of Famer is rumored to be available if the Warriors can trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Green has long been linked to the purple and gold in part because of his friendship with LeBron James, and ESPN even predicted a similar deal in the 2025 offseason.
Green has spent his entire 14-year NBA career with the Warriors, but this is Giannis. Golden State already broke up with Klay Thompson and has made Stephen Curry their only untouchable player. Draymond’s production has declined this season, and it feels like the franchise may want to keep an injured Jimmy Butler over the former cornerstone. The writing could be on the wall, and Green won’t want to play on a rebuilding franchise.
The Lakers sit 25th in defensive rating. Golden State is seventh. Fans know Draymond’s versatility and energy can quickly make his team elite on that end of the floor. LA lacks rim protection and stout perimeter defense. Having Draymond anchor could do wonders, and it is not as crazy as fans think.
Lakers may finally trade for Draymond Green
Green’s friendship with LeBron has fueled most of the past speculation, but this is different. There are no real links to coming to LA. This is noise that the Warriors are willing to deal Draymond if it means landing a superstar like Giannis. If Golden State is ready to move on, the Lakers could swoop in and get arguably the best defenders of this generation on the cheap.
Green averages 8.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 26.7 minutes per game this season. He could remake the Lakers’ defense, but the 35-year-old comes with warts. Draymond is a subpar shooter and is known for picking up technical fouls. There would be headaches, and he doesn’t fit the Luka Doncic age timeline that Los Angeles is focused on.
This is the Lakers' chance to immediately remake their defense and become a serious title contender. Draymond would give them a rim protector and some needed defensive IQ. He may come to blows with Deandre Ayton, but there is no other available target capable of single-handedly solving this problem.
The Warriors are not giving Green away. He is a franchise icon and will have his jersey in the rafters of the Chase Center. Golden State doesn’t win their four championships without him. This is only happening if the Dubs can acquire a superstar. To do so, Green and Jonathan Kuminga are the most likely matching salary to be used. If it is Giannis going to Golden State, the Bucks won’t want Green. He will be rerouted to a third team, which could easily be the Lakers.
Los Angeles could dump Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and Dalton Knecht to nearly perfectly match Green’s salary. Milwaukee would then get two expiring deals and a reclamation project in Knecht. It would mean the Lakers took on salary beyond this season, as Green has a $27.6 million player option, but he may look to move on if LeBron does this summer.
The Los Angeles Lakers can finally trade for Draymond Green after years of speculation. It will take the Warriors pulling off a blockbuster, but that feels more real than ever after Jimmy Butler’s season-ending injury. The stars could be aligning for a shocking move that would alter the entire league. Green in purple and gold may soon be real, and fans will be dreaming about the team's defense finally getting on track. Never say never.