‘It’s different’ – Steve Kerr says Draymond Green trade talks put new look Golden State Warriors in spotlight

‘I’m not at home on the trade machine,” laughed Steve Kerr a little less than 48 hours from the NBA deadline.

There isn’t much the Warriors coach hasn’t seen in this game, but watching the lone healthy superstar on his roster get linked to a move away from Golden State is a new one.

While Draymond Green has been the heartbeat of the dynasty, the rumor mill is spinning faster than ever.

“I talked to him a little bit about it yesterday,” Kerr said.

“This is the first time I would say, since I have been here, that his name has ever been really mentioned in trade talks – so it’s a bit different.

“But it’s also part of the league, it’s almost part of every player’s journey in this league, just being mentioned.

“But it’s the first time for him, so it’s a little different.”

The relationship between Kerr and Green has always been defined by a “fire meets fire” dynamic. For over a decade, the two have been the dual engines of the Warriors’ success—Kerr providing the tactical poise and Green the raw, emotional edge.

They are famously alike in their competitiveness, a trait that has led to legendary locker room shouting matches and sideline blow-ups, including a recent heated exchange against Orlando that saw Green head to the locker room early to cool off.

Yet, despite the occasional public friction, the bond remains unbreakable. Kerr has often called his relationship with Green the “most gratifying” of his coaching career, noting that they understand each other’s “power.”

To Kerr, Draymond isn’t just a player; he is the defensive genius who turned a coach’s vision into four championship banners. It is this deep-seated loyalty that makes the current trade chatter feel so surreal for both men.

The league around them is shifting like tectonic plates.

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With James Harden packed off to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Darius Garland moving in the opposite direction, Tuesday was a busy day in The Association.

Nikola Vucevic also found himself on the move, heading for a Boston Celtics team who may just be smelling an opportunity.

Oh and the Memphis Grizzlies sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz.

Meanwhile, the biggest domino of them all has yet to fall—with the Minnesota Timberwolves the latest team credited with an interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo.

But as Kerr explained ahead of tip-off against the 76ers, he has long since learned to just go with the flow.

“We all lose sleep over this; it’s a weird profession. I just try and get a feel for what’s out there, what’s happening,” he added.

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“If I need to just step in and say something, or talk to a guy I’ll do that.”

It was interesting to hear Kerr – a nine-time NBA champion (five as a player, four as a coach) and an Olympic gold medal-winning coach – say he doesn’t have a total say in the roster’s construction.

General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. takes care of the heavy lifting regarding trade talks – and he may have a busy 48 hours ahead.

“I spoke to Mike today, he briefed me on some things they are working on behind the scenes,” he said.

“They definitely take my input, but I’m not on the trade machine at home.

“I don’t want to see any of these guys moved, honestly.”

This time last year, the Warriors were as busy as anyone when they shocked the league by bringing in Jimmy Butler.

To make that blockbuster happen, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, and Kevon Looney departed.

Kerr admitted that telling those foundational pieces they were moving on was as tough a conversation as he has had to have in his time as coach.

Now, as the deadline looms, the question remains: Will the Warriors truly part with the man who defines their most successful era in franchise history, or is this just another rumor lost to the wind?

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