The Golden State Warriors are viewed as one of the many teams in need of roster upgrades this offseason. Despite re-signing some key players like Kristaps Porzingis and De’Anthony Melton, the Warriors’ current roster doesn’t inspire much confidence. Hence, the interest in Anthony Davis seems reasonable.
The Dubs are among the few teams that have actively shown an interest in acquiring Anthony Davis this offseason. On paper, Davis’ two-way skill set and offensive versatility would make him a phenomenal fit in Golden State’s rotation.
It is worth noting that the pursuit of LeBron James in the offseason spurred interest in acquiring Anthony Davis. Although Golden State’s intrigue was secondary, with the Dubs slowly falling out of contention as a potential landing spot for the 41-year-old, they have been forced to resume trade discussions with the Washington Wizards. Unfortunately, the hesitation to acquire the 10-time All-Star may have cost the Warriors a better deal.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Washington Wizards have set a steep asking price for the superstar big man. The Wizards are demanding Jimmy Butler, multiple first-round picks, multiple second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps, per the latest reports.
While Charania did not share an exact figure, his report aligns with ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who noted that any deal for Davis would require the Warriors to package Butler with three first-round picks at a minimum.
With sources indicating that LeBron James is more likely to sign with a team in the East, with the 76ers, Cavs, and Heat emerging as frontrunners, the Warriors may not benefit from pursuing Anthony Davis. Still, it can be argued that this move is necessary.
Why Should The Warriors Trade For Anthony Davis?
Although the price is steep, the Golden State Warriors may see good reason to sign Anthony Davis this summer.
When healthy, Davis is easily among the best two-way players in the NBA. Despite struggling with injuries last season, the big man averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 50.6% from the field.
The Warriors may have re-signed Kristaps Porzingis, but with the Memphis Grizzlies prying Quinten Post away in free agency, the Warriors need an experienced big man in the rotation.
The notion of pairing Davis with Porzingis is also quite intriguing. Although both can play either center or power forward, the Warriors may benefit from the length and offensive flexibility when they share the floor.
Acquiring Davis for Jimmy Butler also has considerable merit. With Butler sidelined for an extended period, the Warriors will essentially be playing with a shorthanded roster. Thus, by acquiring Anthony Davis, Golden State addresses a key rotation issue, ensuring the team is competitive from the beginning of the campaign.
While the aforementioned reasons are promising enough, the main motive of luring LeBron James over to the Bay Area is also noteworthy. Although the Warriors don’t view themselves as a preferred landing spot at the moment, combining Davis’ potential addition with Stephen Curry’s latest comments may be convincing enough.
Realistically, the Wizards’ demands are extravagant, and Golden State’s hesitation to pull the trigger on such a trade is justified. However, with Davis becoming extension-eligible on August 6, the Wizards’ actions concerning the big man will give Golden State a better idea of how to proceed.
If Washington offers Davis an extension, the Warriors are better off turning their gaze elsewhere. On the other hand, if the Wizards hesitate, Golden State may have a golden window of opportunity to revisit trade discussions.
