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It appears one NBA team is open to a blockbuster deal with the Warriors, but it’s unclear if the feeling is mutual.
Golden State (18-16) currently sits at eighth in the Western Conference as of Wednesday afternoon after its 132-125 win over the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center, and is headed toward another trade deadline where a move might be necessary in order to keep its playoff hopes alive.
If the Warriors wanted to swing big, perhaps in a blockbuster deal for Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis, who has been linked to Golden State already, it likely would require parting with either forwards Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler in the trade package, which The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported in a story published Wednesday, citing team sources, is not something the Warriors want to do.
Not only are the Warriors not keen on parting with one of their veteran forwards in a potential deal, but they might not even be interested in Davis at all. Amick also reported in his story, citing team sources, that Dallas contacted Golden State about a potential trade for Davis, not the other way around.
“A Butler-for-Davis swap works financially, as the Warriors forward also makes $54.1 million this season, but Golden State has shown no interest in making such a move,” Amick wrote. “While team sources say the Warriors have not completely closed the door on the prospect of doing a Davis deal, it appears unlikely. What’s more, it should be noted that the Mavericks called Golden State about the Davis possibility — and not the other way around.”
While the Warriors reportedly have not completely closed the door on the idea of a Davis trade, any potential deal likely would include young forward Jonathan Kuminga, who Dallas appears to be enticed by.
“While a league source said the Mavericks do have interest in the Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, who can’t be traded until Jan. 15 but is widely expected to be dealt before the deadline, the fifth-year forward’s salary ($22.5 million) comes well short of Davis’ ($54.1 million) and would thus require the inclusion of another big contract — i.e. Green ($25.8 million),” Amick added. “Yet as Warriors coach Steve Kerr said publicly last week, and team sources confirmed, a move like that is simply not in their plans.”
While a trade for Davis does not seem likely for the Warriors at this moment, a lot can change in the five weeks leading up to the Feb. 5 deadline, and it appears Dallas, at least, is open for business.