The summer of 2026 was a dud for the Golden State Warriors, and that’s why their sights are already on the horizon. With Stephen Curry approaching the end of his career, they don’t have much time to waste building a contender, which makes the next offseason especially critical.
With players such as Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Brandon Ingram hitting the free agent market, the Warriors have an opportunity to add some star power to their aging roster. As it turns out, however, their odds of landing such players are directly tied to Anthony Davis, who has been at the center of trade rumors for months now.
“If the Warriors want to sign potential 2027 free agents like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Brandon Ingram, trading for a player like Anthony Davis would give them a better shot at signing one of those star wings,” wrote SI’s Joey Akeley.
Veteran forward Jimmy Butler was supposed to be the addition that saved this Warriors’ era and extended their title window. Instead, his contract has become somewhat of a liability as he recovers from a brutal ACL tear. With no set timetable for his return, the Warriors are desperate to fill the void, but it might not be until next summer that they have the right opportunity.
At that point, several veteran stars could be available for the taking. The problem for the Warriors is that the players would have to choose them over other pursuers, who arguably have much more to offer. As much as they might seem like a lucrative destination on paper, the Warriors have already been spurned by several stars over the years, including Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
What would set the Warriors apart, and make them much more attractive, is having another star to pair with Curry. Specifically, with Anthony Davis, they’d have a much more compelling case to make for free agents. Despite his injury history, the 10x All-Star still leaves a massive impact on the floor, and he’s widely respected by his peers. Last season, in 20 games for the Mavericks, he averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game on 50.6% shooting from the field.
The Warriors tried to trade for Davis this summer, as a way to potentially lure LeBron, but the Wizards are not keen on giving him up for anything less than an absolute premium. However, with Davis eligible for an extension next month, it’s possible the situation could change if they are unable to strike a deal. In any event, the Warriors will be watching and monitoring the situation closely.
For now, the Warriors have no choice but to work with what they have, and we saw where that got them last season (10th in the West at 37-45). If they want to salvage what’s left of the Curry era, action is needed, but finding the right move is easier said than done. If it’s not Anthony Davis or one of the free agents next summer, they could always settle for Kevin Durant, whose future grows increasingly uncertain with each passing day.
