Draymond Green Discusses LeBron, Lakers-Warriors Rumors; Didn’t Want to Trade Kuminga

Jack MurrayFebruary 19, 2024

Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green wants to set the record straight on the role he played in trying to bring Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James to the Warriors at the NBA trade deadline.

It was reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne that Green reached out to agent Rich Paul—who represents both Green and James—as the Warriors pursued the 20-time All-Star. In an effort to clarify the situation, Green explained what happened during the NBA All-Star Game ALTCAST on truTV.

“Well, it came out almost like I’m initiating these talks,” Green said. “Like Draymond contacted LeBron. No, it came to my desk. Something came over to my desk, and I was like, ‘Hmm, that’s interesting.’ Let me dive in a little bit. And so, you know, you tend to, you know, use relationships. Rich is my agent as well, so I can have that conversation with Rich. But I didn’t initiate these talks.”

Green later said that “the answer would have been no” if the Warriors would have had to trade Jonathan Kuminga for James.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportDraymond says he wouldn’t trade Kuminga for LeBron 👀

NBA All-Star Game ALTCAST on @TruTV and @StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/kK2XsrPZZE

James, of course, would not be traded in the end as he reportedly had “no interest” in being traded and wants to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers organization. The price for Golden State to bring him in would have been steep, but it could have been what was needed to turn the Warriors’ season around as the team is currently 27-26 and in 10th place in the Western Conference.

The Lakers are not much better off, as they are ninth in the conference at 30-26, but that is not James’ fault. The 39-year-old is averaging 24.8 points, 7.8 assists and 7.2 rebounds in 48 games in 2023-24. He is also in the last year of his contract, although he does have a player option for the 2024-25 season.