Mike Dunleavy denies buying Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler at trade deadline

Mike Dunleavy had to shoot down rumors about the Golden State possibility The Warriors trade Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler III at the 2025-26 NBA trade deadline.

The Warriors have been figuring out ways to bolster the roster following Butler’s season-ending ACL injury, which lowered the team’s ceiling significantly. They responded with a trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Cummings and Buddy Hield.

However, they were also in the mix to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. There were packages that included Cummings, but when Milwaukee showed no interest, Golden State reversed course by landing Porzingis instead.

Dunleavy spoke to the media during Saturday’s news conference, according to reporter Joseph Dykus. In response to questions about what happened before the deadline, the GM denied involving Green and Butler in trade discussions.

“I would take it back,” Dunleavy said of Green. “His name wasn’t in the conversations other than the ones where teams called me asking about him. The idea that he stayed with the Warriors after the deadline was greatly exaggerated. There was never a possibility that he wasn’t here or that he wasn’t close. I conveyed that to him.”

“You’re putting words in my mouth,” Dunleavy responded after a reporter asked about trading Butler for Giannis Antetokounmpo. “No, no, no. We don’t do that. I’m not going to go down the list talking about who is trading and who isn’t. We don’t do that.”

“No, no, no, we don’t do that. I’m not talking about getting on the roster, about who’s doing business and who’s not. We’re not doing that.”

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy is dismissing reports that Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler were acquired by the team at the deadline. pic.twitter.com/uv7Sa6hahr

— Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dicus) February 8, 2026

What’s next for Draymond Green, Warriors

Mike Dunleavy understands he needs to make some tough decisions to improve the Warriors’ roster. However, it will take a lot for the team to turn the season around after Jimmy Butler III’s injury, and they will need Stephen Curry and Draymond Green to fuel the team.

Golden State is 28-25 on the season, holding the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers while trailing the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Warriors will look to bounce back in their next match as they are at home. They host the Memphis Grizzlies on February 9th at 10:00 PM ET.