Draymond Green's true reason Warriors couldn't snag Markkanen is not surprising

The Golden State Warriors fruitlessly tried to acquire Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz during the offseason. While it all made for one enthralling offseason subplot, it never sounded like things were close.

While nothing but a footnote for the Jazz, Golden State's failed pursuit of Markkanen could have major ramifications for them, knowing that they want to contend for a title while they still have Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

Green himself discussed how everything went wrong for the Warriors while talking with The Athletic's Anthony Slater. While discussing how the Warriors' plans fell through, Green called out Jazz exec Danny Ainge for their failed Markkanen bid.

“The conversation was always about that possibility,” Green said. “You get both of those guys, you make a huge splash. But the Clippers weren’t really willing to play ball. Then Danny Ainge was being Danny Ainge.”

For context, the Warriors also tried and failed to get Paul George before setting their sights on Markkanen.

Again, the Jazz didn't have much to lose by opting to keep Markkanen, but the Warriors had everything to lose by not getting him, knowing they don't have much time left with their future Hall-of-Famers on the wrong side of 30.

Draymond Green is both right and wrong about Danny Ainge

Green's words are blunt and a little harsh, but they are not too far off regarding Ainge as an executive. He has a reputation for playing hardball. If a team wants one of his best assets, they better know that they will have to pay through the nose to get it.

The Timberwolves and Cavaliers did just that to get Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, respectively. That's just with the Jazz. This has been Ainge's MO since his days in Boston, and his methods get results.

Back when he was in Boston, Ainge robbed the Nets blind when they acquired Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. He does this because it gets results. Look at where the Celtics are now. They've been one of the best teams in the NBA for the last several years and are now the reigning champions. Ainge knows how to extract the most value out of his guys.

So Green isn't too far off with what he said. However, at the same time, would any executive act any differently than Ainge did? This is Lauri Markkanen, who placed very highly in multiple Top 100 player rankings and is just entering his prime. What executive wouldn't demand what Ainge did for him?

They were going to hand over one of the NBA's most unique stars in the game to a fallen empire on its last legs, and for what? Young players and draft assets who may never be as good as Markkanen is? No wonder Ainge played it the way he did.

During their heyday, the Warriors typically got the targets they wanted, so it's no surprise that they saw Markkanen the same way. However, they should have known Ainge would not go easy on them in trade talks.

Green also does not have the best reputation, but his frustration makes sense. He's tasted plenty of success, and he wants more. However, he should know by now that it takes two to tango.