“Sometimes you’re forced into difficult positions that are not easy to navigate,” said Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “But in respect to (Drummond) and all that he’s done and accomplished and as much as he’s helped us, we thought this was the fairest thing to do for him.”

The Warriors star was bothered that a team can state publicly plans to trade a player without penalty while players are fined if they demand to be traded. Addressing reporters after a 129-98 win over the Cavaliers at Chase Center, Green cited James Harden, who was criticized for his exit from the Houston Rockets, while discussing the situation unfolding in Cleveland.

“To watch Andre Drummond before the game, sit on the sidelines, then go to the back and then come out in street clothes because the team is going to trade him is (expletive),” Green said.