Although team sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic that the Warriors haven’t fully closed the door on the possibility of pursuing a trade for Mavericks big man Anthony Davis, Amick also hears from club sources that Golden State is “staunchly” opposed to the idea of trading Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green.
The Mavericks do have some interest in Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, a league source tells Amick. But given that Golden State is operating right up against the second tax apron and Davis is earning $54MM+ this season, it would be nearly impossible to trade for the Warriors to acquire AD without an outgoing salary bigger than Kuminga’s $22.5MM.
Amick adds that it was the Mavericks, not the Warriors, who instigated discussions about the possibility of the two teams making a Davis trade, so it’s not as if Golden State was actively looking for a way to make it work.
Focusing on a handful of teams who look like they need to make a trade, Amick shares several more items of interest in his latest story for The Athletic. Here are more highlights:
- Following up on rumors linking Davis to the Hawks, Amick says sources in Atlanta have “pushed back hard” on the idea that the team would be willing to send 2024’s first overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher, to the Mavericks in a deal for the veteran big man. Dallas is known to be seeking young prospects and expiring contracts in return for Davis, but Hawks officials remain bullish on Risacher’s long-term potential based on his second-half performance in 2024/25, Amick explains.
- The Hawks appear more open than ever to talking to teams about a potential Trae Young trade, but the veteran guard’s market seems to be limited, according to Amick, who suggests that Atlanta might need to wait until the summer to resolve Young’s situation. “Trae is an extremely difficult player to win at the highest level with,” one rival scout said, explaining why a market for the four-time All-Star hasn’t materialized.
- League sources who spoke to Amick added Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. to the growing list of potential trade targets on the Bucks‘ radar. Jerami Grant, Zach LaVine, and Malik Monk are among the other players who have been cited as possible options for Milwaukee.
- Despite a very slow start to the season, the Clippers have no plans to sell off veterans and would actually prefer to add an impact player to complement James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, league sources tell Amick. L.A. has been surging as of late, with five consecutive wins, and there have been no signs that Harden is seeking a change of scenery, Amick notes, adding that the Clippers still hope to maintain cap flexibility for the summer of 2027 and will be hesitant to take on any contracts that run beyond that.
Whoa, Dallas was the one pushing AD to GSW? That’s a new one.
I would trade Dray, Jim and Kuminga for better fits, there are plenty out there. Re-do all that money into 2 or 4 star-level players to accent Steph’s prime better. Jim is still superelite, he can bring back a Giannis if the Bucks want to still contend this year. Dray and Kuminga for Sabonis would be great too. Steph/Giannis/Sabonis would go crazy.
I think Jimmy’s agent might advise the Bucks that Jimmy would not be happy there and trading for him would be a bad idea.
Warriors could do a trade of Kuminga to Mavs without AD part of the trade. Afford or Washington is who the warriors would be targeting.
Washington is not trade eligible this season due to the timing of when he signed his extension. Maybe in the offseason when he’s done with his tank commandeering duties.
That is too bad Washington is the type of player the warriors need.
Happy New Year to all the writers, readers and commenters on this platform.
Why is trading Green never an option? Does he have compromising pictures of Joe Lacob? He’s been straight ass the last two season. He’s cooked. Mr. Triple-single with a terrible attitude.
I had his back til this season, but his turnovers this year have literally lost us at least 8 games all by himself. He is scoring better this year, but the defense and passing are in the toilet. He will argue the defense part is because Kerr refuses to play him as a strict 4, but Kerr plays him at the 5 for 75% of his playing time, and he gets cooked by a 7 foot 250+ lb guy.
Lacob has his favorites and will not trade them. Kuminga used to be one of his favorites is why they kept him so long.