The Golden State Warriors are four championships deep into the Stephen Curry era. But Curry just turned 38. Draymond Green is 36. The window isn’t just closing — it’s practically scraping the frame on the way down.
So the front office is looking at something bold. Maybe even desperate. According to Kevin O’Connor, the Warriors are exploring trades for Anthony Davis and free-agent interest in LeBron James this offseason. Davis currently belongs to the Washington Wizards, who acquired him in a deal last season but never actually put him on the floor. And James is about to hit the open market for what might be the last time in his career.
James and Davis won a title together in Los Angeles. Pairing them with Curry and Green in Golden State would be the kind of reunion the NBA hasn’t seen since the Heatles era. But here’s the thing — Davis is still in Washington, and the Wizards aren’t giving him away for spare parts.
The price tag for Davis isn’t cheap
When the Wizards traded for Davis, they gave up Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Marvin Bagley, three second-round picks, a 2026 first-rounder via Oklahoma City, and a protected 2030 first-round pick originally from Golden State. That’s a lot of assets for a player who hasn’t suited up for them yet. Washington won’t flip him without getting at least that value back, probably more.
One proposed deal has the Warriors sending Jimmy Butler, two first-round picks, a pick swap option, and a second-rounder to Washington for Davis. The complication? Butler tore his ACL last season and might miss most of the coming year. That’s a risk for a Warriors team that doesn’t have time to wait. But for a Wizards squad still rebuilding, Butler’s intensity could be valuable as a mentor — even if he’s not playing right away.
The draft capital matters here too. Golden State is probably headed for a rebuild in a few years, which means those picks could land near the top of the draft. That’s the kind of long-term incentive a team like Washington needs.
Curry and James together after all these years
The basketball world has spent a decade watching Curry and James battle in the Finals. They’ve been rivals, not teammates. But imagining Curry catching passes from LeBron while Davis patrols the paint with Green is the kind of thing that breaks a conference. Green and Davis alone would be one of the best defensive frontcourts the league has ever seen.
James is still playing at an elite level. At 39, he averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds last season. He’s not slowing down yet. And a lineup that gives him shooters like Curry and maybe even Klay Thompson could stretch defenses thin enough to make everyone’s numbers look even better.
The Warriors have been good but not great the last couple of years. Going all in on one last ride with a bunch of aging legends might be the most poetic way to close this era. And honestly, the league would probably love to see it. They’d also probably hate trying to guard it.
Leave a Comment