Green reportedly considered joining Lakers and Clippers! He may still leave this summer, Curry is Warriors' only untouchable asset.

On April 1 Beijing time, according to Warriors reporter Slater, despite the team's denial after the trade deadline, management indeed included Green in a hypothetical trade package to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Bucks. Green himself was unwilling to go to Milwaukee at that time; he would have considered joining the Lakers or Clippers.

Green learned about this news several days before the deadline. "Maybe this is it," Green told himself, "I have to accept it. I've seen too many people leave with bad feelings, I don't want that."

The Warriors dynasty's most recent core departure, Klay Thompson, did not leave in a graceful manner and did not have a favorable impression of management. Kerr and Green—who theoretically could be entering their final month with the Warriors—hope to leave peacefully whenever that happens.

"I'm human too," Green said, "At the moment of the deadline, I did think: 'Damn, are they really going to do this to me?'"

But he quickly adjusted his mindset.

"I probably understand this business better than any player," Green said, "I know, it's Giannis. The team couldn't trade me for a bag of peanuts. In some ways, it even made me a little proud.But honestly, I didn't want to play for the Bucks."

Dunleavy later denied that Green was involved in trade discussions, saying the rumors forced the team to "clean up the mess."

But Green said he never felt dissatisfied and didn't demand explanations from Dunleavy or owner Lacob—Lacob has always supported Green, and any trade involving him requires the owner's approval.

"You know me," Green said about his low-key handling, "If I needed to talk, everyone would feel it. Nobody felt that way that day because it was completely unnecessary."

But the team's willingness to include Green in a trade with the Bucks also revealed a reality: Green's 14 seasons with the Warriors may not extend to a 15th.Team sources said Dunleavy and Lacob are expected to explore major trades again this summer, with almost all assets potentially on the table.

"I didn't dwell on this," Curry said, "But I think only Giannis is worth that. And as he said, any team would consider it. We just didn't go that far.I'm probably the only one completely out of trade discussions, but you can't be naive about this side of the business."

Green himself holds control. He has a $27.6 million player option for next season, giving him and his agent Rich Paul leverage in the process.

Green last became a free agent in summer 2023. He declined the $27.6 million player option then, lowering the first-year salary of his new contract to $22.3 million—saving the Warriors about $43 million in luxury tax—to secure a four-year $100 million deal with the current player option.

Green can opt out of his contract this summer and enter the unrestricted free agent market again.League sources said that when trade rumors emerged, the idea of joining the two Los Angeles teams (Lakers and Clippers) was within his consideration.

But neither team nor league sources believe he will choose to opt out and test free agency. The general expectation is: Green either exercises his option—making himself a $27.6 million expiring contract that the Warriors can keep or trade—or signs a multi-year extension with a lower starting salary, meaning he is more likely to finish his career with the Warriors.