Anthony Davis is not available. At least not yet.
The Washington Wizards have given no indication they intend to trade him, and the Golden State Warriors did not come particularly close to acquiring him when they explored the possibility earlier this offseason.
Still, Davis’ future suddenly carries more uncertainty than it did when Washington shut down trade interest in June.
The Wizards and Davis have mutually agreed to table negotiations on a potential four-year, $275 million extension until the regular season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday on NBA Today. One source told Charania the sides want to let approximately 20 games “marinate” before deciding whether their partnership should continue through a new contract.
For Golden State, the development is worth monitoring. Its championship window around Stephen Curry continues to narrow, and Davis was central to the Warriors’ most ambitious offseason scenario before LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Warriors Considered Pairing Davis With Curry
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors shoots over Anthony Davis and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on January 27, 2024 in San Francisco, California.
Golden State planned to pursue James in free agency and explore a trade for Davis, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor reported in June. Washington had no interest in listening to offers, preventing those plans from gaining traction.
The Warriors also had internal reservations. According to The Ringer’s Logan Murdock, a small group within Golden State’s front office supported trading Jimmy Butler and draft capital for Davis. The organization ultimately declined to push forward because of Davis’ injury history and desire for a lucrative extension.
Davis’ fit beside Curry remains obvious. His screening, lob finishing and ability to punish switches would give Curry an elite pick-and-roll partner. Defensively, Davis could protect the rim while allowing Draymond Green to roam, switch and direct traffic.
Davis averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 20 games for Dallas last season. But hand and groin injuries ended his campaign before he could debut for Washington, reinforcing the concerns that kept Golden State from making a more aggressive push.
Trade Math Complicates Any Golden State-Washington Deal
If Davis becomes available, Golden State cannot assemble a deal from spare contracts.
Butler’s expiring $56.8 million salary is the Warriors’ only clean, single-contract match for Davis, who will earn approximately $58.4 million this season. That financial reality — not necessarily a demand from Washington — would make Butler the practical foundation of almost any Davis trade.
The alternative would be a more complicated package constructed around the combined salaries of Green and Kristaps Porziņģis.
Green re-signed on a one-year, $27.7 million contract after opting out to help Golden State pursue James. Although signing a one-year deal created implicit veto rights, Green waived that protection in favor of a 15% trade kicker, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater. He becomes eligible to be traded Dec. 15 and would receive a bonus of approximately $4.2 million if moved.
The Warriors have maintained that they do not intend to trade Green. His contract, however, preserves their ability to do so if a franchise-altering opportunity emerges.
That flexibility matters because Curry’s future is also approaching a decision point. The 38-year-old guard is under contract only through 2026-27 and becomes eligible Aug. 29 for a two-year extension worth up to approximately $136.7 million. ESPN has reported mutual interest in another agreement.
But Curry’s contract cannot be separated entirely from the roster around him. Butler is recovering from a torn ACL, Green is 36, and Golden State won only 37 games last season.
Washington’s first 20 games will determine whether Davis fits alongside Trae Young, Alex Sarr and AJ Dybantsa. They could also determine whether Golden State gets another opportunity to make the aggressive move it passed on this summer.
This time, the Warriors would know exactly where the money must come from.
Warriors Get Intriguing Anthony Davis Update Amid Stephen Curry Decision