Two teams with annual high expectations, the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors, appear to be moving in different directions this season: the Mavericks are heading toward a rebuild, while the Warriors remain competitive.
With No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg joining the roster and the Mavericks starting the season 12-22, there are growing calls to rebuild around Flagg by trading away veterans, notably big man Anthony Davis, and fully committing to a new direction. The Warriors, meanwhile, have started 18-16 with veterans Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler III. Their focus is to upgrade the roster before February’s deadline to support one more playoff run with their established core.
Would the Warriors Trade Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler III for Anthony Davis?
There have been rumors that the Warriors and Mavericks have discussed a potential deal for Davis. Davis could complement Curry, Butler III, and Green if acquired by the Warriors.
There are, however, some issues with that potential transaction. If the Warriors want a significant upgrade like Davis, it will require effort. They probably can’t compete for top trade targets such as the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Sam Amick of The Athletic reports the Warriors are against trading either Green or Butler, which complicates matching high salaries for a potential deal. The Warriors would like to hang on to their veteran to make one more run behind Curry, Green, and Butler. That, however, would be very tough to do financially.
“While a league source said the Mavericks do have interest in the Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, who can’t be traded until Jan. 15 but is widely expected to be dealt before the deadline, the fifth-year forward’s salary ($22.5 million) comes well short of Davis’ ($54.1 million),” writes Amick. “It would thus require the inclusion of another big contract — i.e., Green ($25.8 million). Yet as Warriors coach Steve Kerr said publicly last week, and team sources confirmed, a move like that is not in their plans.
The only way a trade would work is a Butler-for-Davis swap, but the Warriors are currently not interested.
“A Butler-for-Davis swap works financially, as the Warriors forward also makes $54.1 million this season, but Golden State has shown no interest in making such a move,” says Amick. “While team sources say the Warriors have not entirely closed the door on a Davis deal, it appears unlikely. What’s more, it should be noted that the Mavericks called Golden State about the Davis possibility – and not the other way around.”
Interestingly, the Mavericks started this conversation, suggesting they may be headed toward a complete rebuild. We could see a bidding war for a veteran like Davis, who, despite some struggles this season, averages 20.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game on 52.1% shooting.
Both the Mavericks and Warriors will be teams to monitor as we head towards February’s trade deadline closely.
