Draymond Green Told Warriors To Not Trade Jonathan Kuminga To Lakers For LeBron James

The Golden State Warriors tried to trade for Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James at this year’s NBA trade deadline.

While discussing the report during All-Star weekend with Charles Barkley, Draymond Green said he told the Warriors to not trade Jonathan Kuminga. 

The Lakers, as expected, were not interested in trading LeBron. 

Charles Barkley just said on the TruTV alternate cast, he said the Warriors would be "stupid" to trade Kuminga in a LeBron deal. Draymond disputed the facts of the report, and said he told Joe Lacob that if Kuminga was in the deal "the answer should be no."

— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) February 19, 2024

The Warriors called the Lakers about a LeBron trade after The King tweeted a cryptic hourglass emoji. Some people around the NBA thought LeBron was unhappy in LA. 

According to ESPN, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss directed Warriors owner Joe Lacob to speak to LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, to discuss the star’s desire to be traded. Paul told Lacob that his client wasn’t interested in getting traded.

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers worth $51.4 million. If LBJ becomes a free agent, the Warriors will pursue him again, a source told Hoops Wire. 

LeBron is still a dominant force despite being the oldest player (39) in the NBA. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP is averaging 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists this season while shooting 52.0% from the field, 39.5% from 3 and 74.1% from the free-throw line.

Green and LeBron are very close friends. The Warriors legend is also represented by Paul.

“I actually heard about it when everybody else heard about it,” LeBron said about the Warriors trade rumor while speaking on Inside the NBA on TNT. “Sometimes there’s conversations that happen behind closed doors that you don’t even know about it. And I guess until it’s real or not, then they’ll bring it to you. But it never even got to me.”

The Lakers are in ninth place in the West with a record of 30-26. Meanwhile, the Warriors are in 10th place with a record of 27-26.