Windhorst: Lakers, Draymond Green have mutual interest

Everyone knows the Los Angeles Lakers want and need a two-way player at the wing or forward position in order to take the next step toward becoming a championship-caliber team. But their options are very limited with just hours to go before Thursday's trade deadline, partly because of their lack of tradable assets.

The man everyone across the NBA is looking at as the deadline approaches is Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Golden State Warriors are one team that is reportedly in hot pursuit of him, and they want him so much they're willing to part with Draymond Green in order to land him.

Green has been their defensive ace, Swiss Army knife and emotional leader for the past dozen seasons, and it looks like his time with Golden State could be coming to an end one way or another. Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that if Green is sent out for the two-time MVP, he could end up with the Lakers, and that both sides have mutual interest (h/t NBC Sports Bay Area).

"If he were traded, his plan would not be to remain in Milwaukee; he would want to moved on," Windhorst said. "A team that would be possible if he were traded -- and I can't emphasize the number of 'ifs' I've said enough before I say this -- the Los Angeles Lakers would be a team he would have interest in, and they would have interest in him. But that would require the Bucks to take action on Giannis."

After the Warriors traded for six-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler a year ago, some thought they had positioned themselves to become title contenders this season. But they have sagged to a 27-24 record while losing Butler for the rest of this season due to a torn ACL he suffered a couple of weeks ago.

Green, who will turn 36 years of age on March 4, is averaging 8.4 points on 41.3% field-goal shooting, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks a game this season. He recently said he would like to play alongside LeBron James, with whom he is friends.

The forward and former Defensive Player of the Year has one season after this one remaining on his contract, and he will make a total of $25.89 million this season.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Windhorst: Lakers, Draymond Green have mutual interest