NBA Trade Rumors: Warriors Could Trade Draymond Green for Aaron Gordon This Offseason to Better Support Stephen Curry

Draymond Green’s legendary stint with the Golden State Warriors could have ended during the trade season.

With the Warriors being laser-focused on pairing Stephen Curry with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo before the Feb. 5 deadline, there were rumors that the Dubs would make Green available in trade talks. Ultimately, the Warriors moved away from Antetokounmpo and acquired former New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks star Kristaps Porziņģis instead.

The offseason could be a different story, though.

Blue Man Hoop’s Peter O’Keefe believes the Warriors could swap Green for a 30-year-old Denver Nuggets NBA champion forward.

“Warriors should look to trade Draymond Green for Aaron Gordon,” O’Keefe wrote Friday.

“Should Green opt into his $27.7 million player option for next season, there's a strong chance they look to move the former Defensive Player of the Year for a star as they attempted to prior to the mid-season deadline.”

“Yet a more subtle upgrade to Gordon could be just as valuable, and also a little easier, considering the similar salaries. Gordon isn't the same defender that Green is, but he brings bigger size at 6-foot-8, brings far more athleticism, and has grown into a very efficient three-point shooter at 43.6% and 38.9% in the past two seasons.”

Gordon is among the most likely trade candidates for the Nuggets this summer after Denver’s recent playoff failure. Despite some injury concerns, his trade value remains solid thanks to his perimeter shooting and playoff experience.

Why the Gordon Upgrade Makes Sense

At this stage of their careers, Aaron Gordon looks like a better stylistic fit next to Stephen Curry than a declining Draymond Green. While Green’s basketball IQ, passing, and leadership remain elite, his shooting and athleticism have noticeably dropped off. Gordon, on the other hand, provides better vertical spacing, more consistent outside shooting, and explosive athleticism that could open up driving lanes and create easier looks for Curry.

The salary match is nearly perfect, making a deal logistically clean. For the Nuggets, moving Gordon would help them reshape their roster after another disappointing postseason run.

The Key Condition: Green’s Player Option

For this trade to materialize, the Warriors would likely need Green to opt into his $27.7 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Opting out would make him a free agent and significantly complicate salary matching. Convincing the four-time champion to opt in — knowing he could be traded shortly after — would require delicate handling by the front office.

The Warriors are clearly in win-now mode while Curry is still playing at a high level. Trading Draymond Green for Aaron Gordon would represent a calculated evolution rather than a full rebuild. It keeps championship pedigree in the locker room while addressing on-court limitations that have become more apparent in recent seasons.

This move wouldn’t be about disrespecting Green’s legacy — it would be about maximizing the final years of the Stephen Curry era with a more complementary piece.

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