US media: Green once stopped the Warriors from trading Markkanen

Reported by US media ClutchPoints. Draymond Green made it clear to the Warriors management during the offseason that Lauri Markkanen should not be traded. He said bluntly: "Facing a negotiating opponent like Danny Ainge, you usually can't win this type of deal." Although Green appreciates Markkanen, he believes that the price demanded by the Jazz is too high - it requires young players, draft picks and future assets. According to reporter Anthony Slater, Green called an emergency stop before the deal was close to being completed: "If you want to complete such a major operation, you must make sure this is the right choice. I refer to historical cases, and usually no one can take advantage of the deal with Ainge." Now Markkanen is averaging 30+ per game with the Jazz and shooting nearly 40% from three-point range, which makes Warriors fans imagine what the deal would have been like.

"You usuallydon’twinthosethingsagainstDannyAinge. "That’sDraymondGreen,tellingtheWarriors’frontofficetheyshouldn’tpullthetriggeronLauriMarkkanenbackintheoffseason.He’safanoft heguy,buttheprice?Toosteep.Youngplayers,draftpicks,thefutureontheline.AccordingtoAnthonySlater,Draymondhitthebrakesbeforethedealevengotclose: "Ithinkifyouwanttodosomethingsohuge,you betterbecertainthatthisisthemove.Youusuallydon 'twinthosethingsagainstDannyAinge.Ilookathistory. "Fastforwardafewmonths,andMarkkanenisoutinUtahdropping30+pointsanightonalmost40%from three, making it look easy. It’s one of the biggest “what if” moments this season. Draymond protected the Warriors’ core, but now fans can’t help but glance at the box scores and think, “Man… that could’ve beenus.”