Warriors, Draymond Green Nearing an Exit: “What a f*ing ride it’s been”
Between Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors, Jimmy Butler’s injury, and an increasingly unstable climate, Steve Kerr breaks down one of the most complicated trade deadlines of the Warriors era. And Draymond Green may have already played his final game with GSW
In San Francisco, the mood around the Golden State Warriors has suddenly grown tense. The reason carries significant weight: Draymond Green, for the first time in his career, is genuinely involved in trade rumors just days before the NBA trade deadline.
Steve Kerr confirmed it without mincing words, explaining that he spoke directly with his veteran to understand how he was handling the situation.
This is probably the first time, since I’ve been here, that his name has truly been associated with potential trades. It’s different, even though it’s part of the league. Everyone goes through it eventually, but for him it’s new
Steve Kerr
NBA trade deadline: unavoidable tension in the Warriors locker room
Kerr didn’t hide how market speculation has a real impact on players, beyond the usual public rhetoric.
We all say we don’t lose sleep over it, but the truth is we absolutely do. It’s a strange profession, very transient. And over the last two years it’s been harder than usual – there’s been a lot of noise, and that definitely puts guys on edge
Steve Kerr
Words that perfectly capture the state of mind of a team that, after years of certainty, now finds itself navigating far less stable waters. The 2025 trade deadline has become a delicate crossroads – perhaps more than Kerr himself would have wanted.
Green, Giannis, and the salary puzzle that changes everything
Draymond Green’s name has surged in rumors for technical and contractual reasons as well. The Warriors continue to monitor the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation, but to make a deal of that magnitude financially viable, a major salary slot must inevitably be involved.
Adding to the equation is Jimmy Butler’s situation, as he continues a long recovery from a torn ACL. The franchise has pledged full support to the former Heat star, but that very commitment makes it almost unavoidable that either Green or Butler becomes a central piece in trade discussions.
After the loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Green spoke candidly about how real this possibility has become, opening the door to the idea that it may have been his final game in a Warriors uniform:
Over the last couple of days, it’s all become a lot more real for me. If that was my last game with the Warriors, what a fing ride it’s been. I’ll pay the fine – but what a fing ride it’s been
Draymond Green
The Kerr-Green relationship: tension, reconciliation, and mutual respect
Green’s season has been anything but smooth. Between struggles to find consistency and a heated verbal confrontation with Kerr in December – culminating in him leaving the bench – the relationship was tested. Kerr later took responsibility, apologized, and repaired the rift.
Despite everything, Green had reiterated that he felt involved in a shared process regarding future decisions. Those comments, however, came before Butler’s injury – an event that shifted the front office’s priorities and threw everything back into question after 14 seasons in a Warriors jersey.
Kerr and Dunleavy: clear roles, no “trade machine”
Kerr also clarified his role in roster decisions, emphasizing a clear separation of responsibilities with GM Mike Dunleavy.
There’s a clear division of power, and that’s the way it should be. Mike calls me if there’s something significant. I’m not sitting at home making trades on the Trade Machine
Steve Kerr
Nothing has happened yet – but the atmosphere has changed. Draymond knows it. Kerr knows it. And when someone like Green starts talking about “the ride,” the market fades into the background. This feels less like a rumor and more like the possible end of an era.