Ranking Draymond Green’s Top Trade Destinations As Warriors Explore Potential Deals
· Yahoo Sports
It’s no secret that the Golden State Warriors surprised pretty much everybody with their sudden comeback at the start of the 2026-27 NBA season, winning eight straight games to get back into the playoff picture early on after initially falling into an 0-3 hole.
Stephen Curry had a lot to do with that, averaging 27.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 50.0% from the field and 45.7% from three in his 10 games played, until an oblique abdominal tear forced him out of the game against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, November 11, earlier this week, as we already covered in our NBA Injury Tracker, which we’ll continue updating.
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With all of this in mind, Draymond Green’s situation could become a bit of a question mark once again, after trade rumors surrounding him got pretty serious at the 2025-26 trade deadline, although nothing ended up happening. But now, Sam Amick of The Athletic has brought up the possibility again, saying that the Warriors would be willing to listen to trade offers for him this season, with the Sacramento Kings even emerging as potential suitors.
Draymond has always been essential to the Warriors, but there’s no denying that his production has dropped quite a bit, averaging just 3.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.5 assists this season. And his $27.7 million expiring contract could be attractive to another team, especially since Golden State obviously needs extra help now with Curry out and Kristaps Porzingis in a complicated situation of his own, between trade rumors and his absence due to health issues.
That’s why we’re going to rank the best potential trade destinations for Green, as the Warriors suddenly need an even bigger scoring punch this season, and the veteran forward is one of the few healthy trade pieces they’ve got.
1. Sacramento Kings
Golden State Warriors Receive: De’Andre Hunter, Daeqwon Plowden
Sacramento Kings Receive: Draymond Green
The Kings might be the most interesting destination for Draymond Green right now, especially because they already have a connection to him through general manager Scott Perry. And with Sacramento dead last in the West, I think bringing in a veteran like Green could make a lot of sense for a team that’s clearly trying to figure out its future.
But the biggest reason would be Darius Acuff Jr., who has been absolutely incredible to start his rookie season. The 19-year-old guard is putting up 26.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists while shooting 41.8% from the field, and he’s already looking like the player Sacramento will build around for the next several years.
And that’s exactly where Green could help. He’s spent his entire career playing next to Curry, one of the greatest guards in NBA history, and knows how to help a scoring guard get easier shots without needing the ball himself. Acuff is already taking 22.8 shots per game, so having someone who can set screens, pass, and organize the offense could be a great addition.
The Kings were also expecting Ben Simmons to help with their playmaking and defense this season, but he suffered a torn right Achilles tendon, and his season ended before it even started, leaving Sacramento without the veteran they had signed as a mentor.
Green obviously wouldn’t replace Simmons at point guard, but he could take over some of those responsibilities as a playmaking forward and defensive leader. And even if the Kings don’t make the playoffs, having him around Acuff for the rest of the season could be valuable.
Sam Amick of The Athletic has also reported that Sacramento is open to discussing trades involving almost everybody except Acuff, so there’s room to build a deal. A possible framework would involve De’Andre Hunter, who’s earning $24.9 million this season, and Daeqwon Plowden at $2.4 million.
Hunter is scoring 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 36.8% from three, giving the Warriors another healthy forward who can score without needing too many shots. Plowden would be an additional rotation option.
Getting a disgruntled Domantas Sabonis, who is reportedly hoping to get moved this season, would be a dream scenario, but the Warriors would have to build a package with Porzingis included, and there’s no clear indication the Kings would be interested in such a low sell.
2. Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors Receive: John Collins, Kevin Huerter
Detroit Pistons Receive: Draymond Green
I really like the idea of Draymond playing for the Pistons, and not only because he played college basketball at Michigan State. Detroit has always had a reputation for physical basketball, and Green is exactly the kind of player who could fit that identity.
The Pistons also lost Isaiah Stewart during the offseason, when he was traded to the Grizzlies, and I think they’re still missing that type of rough guy who can defend several positions, protect his teammates, and bring some physicality to the frontcourt.
Stewart wasn’t a huge offensive player, but he was important for their defense. And while Green isn’t the same player he was five or six years ago, he’s still a four-time champion, a former Defensive Player of the Year, and someone who knows how to organize an entire defense.
And the injury to Jalen Duren makes things even more interesting. The 22-year-old center is dealing with a right hamstring strain and has played only two games this season, putting up 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds. He’s expected to be re-evaluated later in November, so Detroit still needs help while he’s recovering.
Green could even start at center in smaller lineups, especially next to Ausar Thompson and Cade Cunningham. His 7.5 assists per game would also give Cunningham another experienced passer to work with, and he wouldn’t take many shots to help the offense.
The Pistons are third in the Eastern Conference, so they’re already in a very good position. But adding another veteran with Green’s playoff experience could help them when the games become more difficult.
A possible deal would involve John Collins and Kevin Huerter, whose salaries total approximately $26.5 million. Collins is scoring 10.6 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 41.4% from three, while Huerter is adding around 9.0 points and giving Detroit another outside shooter.
For the Warriors, that’s two healthy offensive players instead of one veteran who’s scoring only 3.2 points per game. Collins could help inside and outside, while Huerter would give them another shooter with Curry injured.
The main problem is that Detroit would lose two rotation players while Duren is still out, and Green wouldn’t help its spacing. Still, I think his defense, passing, and experience make the Pistons one of the better possible destinations.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
Golden State Warriors Receive: Myles Turner
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Draymond Green
Things have been absolutely terrible for the Bucks this season, and I don’t think anybody expected them to be last in the Eastern Conference, lose eight straight games, and not even show signs of turning things around.
Milwaukee is scoring only 106.8 points per game, ranking 28th in the NBA, while its 122.9 defensive rating ranks 29th. Those are terrible numbers, especially for a team that’s trying to build something new after moving on from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But there’s one reason why Green could make sense for them. The Bucks have several young players who need help developing, including Kel’el Ware, Brayden Burries, and Nate Ament. Having a veteran who has played in six NBA Finals and won four championships could help those players learn how to defend and play together.
And Green could also help Milwaukee’s defense immediately. He’s not going to score 20 points, but his passing and defensive communication could be useful for a team that’s allowing more than 120 points.
The interesting part is what the Warriors could get in return, because Myles Turner has already been mentioned in trade discussions involving Golden State. According to Jake Fischer, the Warriors don’t have Turner very high on their list of targets, mainly because they aren’t interested in taking on his long-term contract. But I think his playing style makes him worth considering, especially as a very similar Porzingis replacement.
Turner is having a terrible season offensively, putting up only 6.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 32.9% from the field and 25.5% from three. Those numbers are difficult to digest, especially when he’s earning $26.6 million this season. He’s also under contract for another two seasons after this one, including a player option worth approximately $29.1 million in 2028-29.
But Turner is still blocking 2.4 shots per game, and he’s been a reliable outside shooter throughout his career. That combination of three-point shooting and rim protection is exactly what Golden State was hoping to get from Porzingis, so a possible framework would be a direct swap involving the two veterans.
For Golden State, Turner could become the starting center and help replace KP, but I think the Warriors would probably want draft compensation for taking on his contract. Fischer has already reported that this is one of their biggest concerns.
That’s why I have the Bucks third. The fit makes sense, but Turner’s contract is a serious hurdle.
4. Charlotte Hornets
Golden State Warriors Receive: Naz Reid
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Draymond Green, first-round pick (protected)
The Hornets are another interesting team because they’ve already been mentioned in trade rumors involving one of their most important players. And that player could actually be a very good replacement for Porzingis in Golden State.
According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, there’s a strong possibility that Charlotte could trade Naz Reid again, even though the team only acquired him during the offseason in the LaMelo Ball trade.
Reid has been putting up good numbers with Charlotte, averaging 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 35.4% from three. But Charlotte is only 4-8, sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference, and the team clearly has more problems than one player can fix.
The Hornets rank 30th in offensive rating at 103.2, while their 114.8 defensive rating ranks 18th. That means they need help on both ends, and Green could give them a much better defensive leader.
He could also help younger players like Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and their young center rotation to learn how to play together, especially on defense. Charlotte doesn’t have many players with experience, and Green has spent more than a decade in the playoffs.
But I think the biggest reason this deal could happen would be the Warriors’ interest in Reid. He’s only 27 years old, can play power forward or center, and has already proved he can be one of the best sixth men in the NBA. He won Sixth Man of the Year in 2023-24 and has been a reliable scorer for several seasons.
And unlike Turner, Reid is actually producing good offensive numbers this season. With Curry injured and Porzingis unavailable, adding someone who can score 17 points and make outside shots would be a huge help for Golden State.
Reid is earning $23.3 million this season, while Green makes $27.7 million, so a deal involving both players could be an interesting starting point. Charlotte would get an expiring contract and a future draft asset, while the Warriors would receive a younger big man who’s under contract through at least 2028-29.
The problem is that the Hornets might want more than one protected pick for Reid, especially because he’s still only 27. And Golden State would have to decide if giving up another future asset is worth it.
Still, I think Reid is one of the better offensive replacements for Porzingis that the Warriors could realistically target.
5. Brooklyn Nets
Golden State Warriors Receive: Julius Randle
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Draymond Green, Moses Moody
And finally, the Nets could be another team worth watching, especially because they’ve already been mentioned in trade rumors involving Julius Randle.
Brooklyn is 3-8 and near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and Sam Amick recently reported that the team is willing to listen to offers for almost anybody on its roster. That includes Randle and Michael Porter Jr., two experienced scorers who could help teams trying to compete for the playoffs.
Randle is having a decent season, putting up 19.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 44.0% from the field and 30.6% from three. Those aren’t his best numbers, but he’s still a former three-time All-Star who can create his own shots, attack the basket, and help run an offense, and that’s exactly what the Warriors need right now.
With Curry out for at least two to four weeks, Golden State doesn’t have many players who can regularly create their own shots. Brandin Podziemski has been excellent with 17.3 points per game, but the team still needs another player who can handle the ball and score consistently.
Randle could help immediately because he’s comfortable taking 15 or 20 shots in a game, and he can also create opportunities for his teammates. He’s not the outside shooter Golden State would ideally want, but having another healthy player who can score around 20 points could make a big difference while Curry is recovering.
The Nets, meanwhile, could use Green’s expiring contract to gain financial flexibility for their rebuild. Randle is earning $33.3 million this season and has a $35.8 million player option for 2027-28. Green makes $27.7 million and becomes a free agent next summer, so Brooklyn wouldn’t have to keep paying him beyond this season.
But there’s a salary problem because Golden State can’t simply exchange Green for Randle under its current cap restrictions. A possible framework would involve adding Moses Moody, who’s still recovering from a serious knee injury.
Green and Moody are earning approximately $40.2 million combined, making the deal possible from a salary-matching perspective. Brooklyn would receive a 24-year-old player who could still help its rebuild once healthy, along with Green’s expiring contract. The Nets would take on more salary this season, but could reduce their long-term commitments if Randle picks up his option.
I don’t think Randle would be a perfect fit defensively, and losing Green would hurt the Warriors on that end. But if Golden State is serious about adding more scoring this season, Randle could be one of the most interesting players available.