Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor stirred up plenty of conversation on Sunday after reporting that the Golden State Warriors are exploring a blockbuster plan to bring LeBron James and Anthony Davis alongside Stephen Curry.
If the idea ever becomes reality, it would instantly create one of the NBA’s most recognizable veteran cores and reshape the championship picture. While the report quickly energized fans and analysts, not everyone bought into the excitement.
Chad Ochocinco Did Not Approve the Warriors’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis Plan
In a recent segment of the “Nightcap” podcast, Shannon Sharpe and Joe Johnson were really excited about this possibility. However, their co-host, three-time All-Pro wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, viewed the idea much differently and questioned whether the move would actually deliver on the court.
“It sounds good, it looks good on paper, but no,” he said. “Obviously, we know who LeBron is, we know what he does. Every team that he goes to, he makes them exceptionally better. Even at his age, pairing up with Steph is cool. AD, he’s probably gonna get you 15 games. So, you really can’t count on him. I’m not being disrespectful. I’m just being honest, man.”
He then doubled down while responding to the optimism around the rumored trio.
“I’m just being realistic,” Johnson added. “That’s something y’all are not being. We got a bunch of old guys teaming up, and now y’all think that they got a chance out of the West, come on, man.”
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In March, Curry turned 38, while James is 41 (he will be 42 in December). However, Davis, 33, is much younger, and his injury situation complicates matters. He sustained a severe torn ligament in his left hand last season and has been sidelined indefinitely since January 9, 2026.
So, Ochocinco’s remarks do have merit. Still, dismissing the possibility completely may be premature.
James and Davis spent five and a half seasons together before the latter’s trade to the Dallas Mavericks, and they delivered the 2020 NBA championship in their first campaign as teammates.
Although James is no longer at his peak, he can ease Curry’s playmaking burden while creating scoring chances for the NBA’s all-time three-point leader. Davis could finally give Golden State the dominant two-way interior presence it has searched for in recent years.
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James, Curry, Davis, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr already know how to win together after capturing Olympic gold with Team USA in 2024, making the rumored fit more believable despite Ochocinco’s doubts.
However, the Golden State Warriors have to overcome several major obstacles to make that vision a reality.
O’Connor mentioned in his report that Washington has little interest in moving Davis. “Washington has signaled an intention to keep Davis after re-signing Trae Young to a four-year, $212 Million extension.”
On top of that, the veteran big man’s contract situation further complicates any potential deal.
Davis is set to become eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension on August 6. That timeline matters because a trade would delay his ability to sign that contract. Under the collective bargaining agreement, he would have to wait six months after the trade becomes official before becoming eligible for the full maximum extension with his new team.
So the Warriors have to remain determined and explore every possible path for the Davis deal. But they have plenty of motivation to keep pushing. After finishing 37-45 and falling short in the Play-In Tournament, the Warriors know time is running short for 38-year-old Curry.
Bringing together James, Davis, and Curry remains an ambitious target, and the organization clearly believes that trio could give the franchise one more legitimate shot at another NBA championship.
