Say it ain't so, but a shocking new Golden State Warriors rumor has them ready to part ways with their franchise icon. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer (subscription required), Golden State is willing to part ways with 14-year veteran Draymond Green.
That could happen in a potential blockbuster deal for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. He's won four championships during his decade-plus career in Golden State.
But his declining play, especially on offense, shouldn't make him untouchable. Even so, many expected the Warriors to try to move injured star Jimmy Butler in a trade for Giannis. However, Fischer refutes that.
The Warriors are willing to part ways with Draymond Green
If the Golden State Warriors were to pull the trigger on a Giannis trade, it could see them trading Green as well as all of the remaining first-round picks to make that happen.
Warriors fans would love the idea of landing Giannis, though they probably have mixed feelings about trading Green. He is an institution in Golden State, but his antics and declining play have left a sour taste in many Warrior fans' mouths.
Still, it's a bad look for Golden State to just ditch a franchise legend mid-season for a star. I'd be willing to look past that since it would make Golden State a far better team, and there are obvious fit issues were the Warriors to keep Green and add Giannis.
Golden State may choose Giannis Antetokounmpo over Green
Neither are particularly good shooters, and both historically have played power forward. Giannis can play center for stretches, as can Green.
Nevertheless, them playing alongside each other means that Golden State likely wouldn't have enough spacing, making those lineups a no-go. That means that one would have to go, and it would obviously be Green.
If Golden State can contend with Stephen Curry and Giannis, then that would make justifying a Green trade much easier. I would still have them behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets in the West hierarchy.
Even so, they could still make the Western Conference Finals. And with two top 20 NBA players, it would give them a shot at an upset against any team. Considering they are a fringe playoff team right now, that alone might make it worth trading Green, as cold-hearted as that might sound.