NBA Trade: 3 summer trade destinations for Draymond Green

After being drafted as a second-round pick back in 2012, Draymond Green has developed into an instrumental member of the Golden State Warriors recent dominance. Green's work on the defensive end is among the best in the NBA, and both his passion and leadership on the court has been widely lauded as a major factor behind the Warriors' success.

Nevertheless, Green's production over the last 12 months has begun to decline, and the Warriors face a significant call on his future this summer. Green agreed to a discounted five-year, $82 million deal back in 2015. However, he is once again eligible for an extension this summer and Green is refusing to take another pay cut.

He will be eligible for an extension worth well over $150 million, and at 29, a new contract will take the former Defensive Player of the Year through to his mid-30s. Evidently, this is a lot of money for the Warriors to invest in a player who is already showing signs of decline, and it is not impossible that the team will look to trade him.

So, as we head towards a busy summer, here are three teams that could make a move for Draymond Green.

#3 Detroit Pistons

Green could be a good fit with Blake Griffin and the Detroit Pistons

Despite an up and down season, the Detroit Pistons look as though they will secure a playoff spot. The pairing of Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond has ultimately paid off, although there are reports that latter may be moved on in favor of a cheaper big this summer.

This opens a slot for another All-Star to come in and play alongside Griffin, and as a Michigan native, Green could be an option.

The Pistons already have one of the NBA's best defenses, and Green's ball-dominant style shouldn't be a problem for Reggie Jackson, as Jackson spent three years playing alongside Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City.

Ultimately, the addition of Green could transform the Pistons into top four seeds in the East, and with Detroit currently in 'compete now' mode, Green's addition makes a lot of sense.

#2 Utah Jazz

The Warriors and Jazz could clash again the playoffs later this year

Draymond's Green passion for the game is a perfect match for the Utah Jazz. The Jazz fans are known as some of the loudest and most enthusiastic in the NBA, and Green is the type of player that the fans at the Vivint Smart Home Arena would immediately get behind.

The prospect of Green linking up with Rudy Gobert should also be frightening to opposing offensive units. Both individuals are among the best defensive player's in the NBA, and the duo also has a rare preference for defense rather than attack.

Utah is also known to be looking to make bold moves to increase their chances of challenging in the West, as the team has recently tried to acquire Mike Conley, who is signed to one of the biggest contracts in the NBA. This indicates that the Jazz will have no problem taking on Green's $18 million contract for the 19/20 season, and the potential dominant duo of Gobert and Green remains a possibility.

#1 Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers could be an option for Green this summer

As the Los Angeles Lakers head towards another busy summer of recruitment, Draymond Green does not appear to rank among the team's prime targets, although things can quickly change during the NBA offseason.

The Lakers are known to be primarily targeting the likes of Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Kawhi Leonard, however, there are no guarantees that the team will successfully lure any of the trio, and the Lakers may be forced to look elsewhere.

While Green is not quite at the same superstar level as an Anthony Davis, his addition would at least guarantee that James has another All-Star calibre player alongside him. The fact that Green is also on an expiring contract also means that the Lakers could potentially dump Green after a season, and sign Anthony Davis who will be a free agent.