The Golden State Warriors are reportedly exploring a blockbuster trade for All-Star big man Anthony Davis. This potential move aims to elevate the team. But there’s a major problem: Davis has a lengthy injury history. Sources suggest the Warriors have an interesting plan to combat these injury concerns, essentially building in “insurance” for their roster.
The Davis Dilemma and Golden State’s Solution
Anthony Davis, if acquired, could change everything for the Warriors. He’s a true game-changer. But his health is always a question mark. The Dallas Mavericks, for example, have seen how hard it is to win when a high-paid star misses games, according to reports from Locked On Mavericks.
The proposed trade package for Davis would be a big one. It would likely involve Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Buddy Hield heading out. This is a huge shake-up. Yet, Golden State seems to have a strategy. They want to ensure they can still compete even if Davis is sidelined.
The idea is to manage Davis’s minutes during the regular season. This would keep him fresh for the playoffs. It’s a smart long-term play. The team believes they have the pieces to stay competitive. This “insurance” plan centers on their existing stars. And it includes some key rotational big men.
Building Around Curry and Butler
If Davis comes to town, the Warriors wouldn’t be lost without him every night. They still have Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. These two can really generate offense. Curry is often a one-man show. He can carry the scoring load himself. Butler has been great this season too.
He’s averaging 19.7 points and 4.9 assists. He shoots an efficient 51.6% from the floor and 41% from three-point range. The Curry-Butler duo makes the Warriors a pretty good team. Adding a healthy Davis would be a huge talent boost. It could really lift them into championship contention, making it a “ceiling-raising” trade, as Blue Man Hoop noted.
And then there’s the depth at center. The Warriors wouldn’t be short on big men. They have Quinten Post, Al Horford, and Trayce Jackson-Davis. These guys can fill minutes when Davis is out. This depth allows Davis to play his preferred power forward position more often. That could actually reduce his injury risk. It keeps him from the pounding of playing center full-time. It’s all about managing his body over an entire season.
The Kuminga Conundrum and Future Moves
Of course, this whole trade scenario relies on moving key players. Jonathan Kuminga is a big part of that. He’s a notable swing piece for the Warriors. The team is expected to give him a $7.9 million qualifying offer. That would make him a restricted free agent in July.
This gives Golden State some leverage. Kuminga has had a bit of a roller coaster career. Coach Steve Kerr even pulled him from the rotation earlier. But Kuminga really stepped up after Curry’s recent hamstring injury. He put up big numbers against Minnesota. Owner Joe Lacob is a big fan of Kuminga. He was influential in drafting him. It’s hard to imagine Lacob letting Kuminga just walk for nothing. So, sign-and-trade scenarios are likely for Kuminga, according to The Athletic.
The Warriors were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. It was a tough loss. Steph Curry was out with a hamstring injury. Owner Joe Lacob felt they would have won the series with a healthy Curry. But they didn’t. This loss means the team needs adjustments.
They believe their core of Curry, Butler, and Green can still contend. They also want more positional size across the board. Brandin Podziemski is another young player to watch. He showed flashes of potential. The team will decide if he’s a long-term piece or trade bait. Lacob defends his draft picks. He says, “I get very upset when I read all this crap on the internet… Bull—! Our drafts were not bad at all.”
Weighing the Risks and Rewards
Trading Draymond Green is a big hurdle. The Warriors aren’t currently willing to do it. That’s according to Sam Amick. So, any Davis trade is still just talk for now. But the upside with Davis is huge. He’s an elite defender, too. He’s one of the few mobile big men who can actually switch onto guards effectively. This is crucial for defending plays like the Curry-Green pick and roll, which is pretty much an “NBA cheat code,” as Warriors World detailed.
The risks with Davis are clear because of his health. But the Warriors seem to have a contingency plan. Curry and Butler can keep the offense humming. And they have big men to cover center minutes. This trade, while risky, could make Golden State a real contender again. It’s a move worth looking into, for sure.
Soureesh Datta 
Tanya Singh 
Baishali Karmakar