The Business of Loyalty in the NBA
Loyalty doesn’t really have a place in the NBA, and last season made that painfully clear. Just look at Luka Doncic’s shocking trade from the Mavericks to the Lakers. It left everyone reeling, didn’t it? Who knows, maybe anyone could be next.
This brings us to Draymond Green and the ongoing discussions about a possible trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. It’s a bit unsettling, to say the least. Green’s future seems to hinge on this potential deal.
Recent reports suggest that Jimmy Butler’s contract is “unlikely” to be part of whatever trade goes down for the Bucks’ superstar, especially after Butler’s recent ACL tear. Instead, it looks like Green’s contract is essential to make any deal work, along with Jonathan Kuminga and four first-round picks spanning 2026 to 2032.
But executing a trade like this isn’t straightforward. Green has been integral to Golden State’s success, often referred to as the team’s “heart and soul” by head coach Steve Kerr. He was expected to hang up his sneakers alongside Stephen Curry, who many consider the greatest shooter ever.
We already witnessed a significant shake-up when Klay Thompson left for Dallas during free agency in July 2024 after 13 seasons in search of a bigger role. I mean, that kind of change is tough to digest, isn’t it? But ultimately, it’s a choice.
Like Curry, Green is synonymous with the Warriors. Still, the team seems willing to go all in for Antetokounmpo—unless it means losing Curry. That’s just business, but if Green ends up being part of that transaction, it really shines a light on the harsh realities of the NBA.
Drafted 35th overall in 2012, Green has evolved into one of the most formidable defenders in league history, transforming the Warriors from a non-factor to a dynasty with four championships between 2015 and 2022. It’s hard to overstate his importance.
For now, Green is taking it in stride. “I’ve been here 14 years,” he told reporters. “Worrying about potentially getting traded isn’t worth my time. If it happens, it’s part of the job. But I’m sleeping well, thanks.”
The lingering question, though, is whether the Warriors can still chase a championship if they land Antetokounmpo at the cost of Green.
Green has gracefully accepted his role, directing plays on offense while fiercely defending on the other end. At 35, he might not be as quick as he once was, but his basketball IQ makes up for that in spades.
Should they lose Green, it would be a significant loss—not just for his defensive skills but for the very essence of the Warriors’ journey from obscurity to greatness. He wanted to stay with the team until retirement, but then the Bucks considered moving Antetokounmpo.
When a player of that caliber comes onto the market, loyalty gets tossed aside. Antetokounmpo could rejuvenate Curry’s career and thrust the Warriors into championship contention for years. But, honestly, there would be heartbreak in the process, especially if it means saying goodbye to Green.
His contributions have been remarkable, and in an instant, his position seems uncertain. “I don’t have any insider info,” Green said on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.” “I read the same things you do, and it’s a lot to deal with. So, we’ll see what happens.”
