As the trade deadline approaches, a potential blockbuster idea has surfaced involving the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks, but interest appears to be far apart.
Dallas has explored the possibility of an Anthony Davis-centered trade, reaching out to the Golden State Warriors to gauge interest rather than respond to the Warriors' push, The Athletic reports.
“A Butler-Davis swap would work financially, as the Warriors forward will also make $54.1 million this season, but Golden State has shown no interest in making such a move,” The Athletic's Sam Amick wrote. “While team sources say the Warriors haven't completely closed the door on the possibility of a Davis trade, that seems unlikely. More importantly, it should be noted that the Mavericks called the Golden State Warriors about the possibility of Davis – not the other way around.”
This distinction is important. While Anthony Davis remains one of the most impactful big men in the league when healthy, acquiring him would require Golden State to give up major veteran salary.
Team sources said the team is unwilling to consider moving Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler.
However, Dallas is believed to be interested in another player from the Golden State Warriors. Jonathan Kuminga, who reportedly cannot be traded until Jan. 15, has drawn the Mavericks' attention as a potential building block.
“While one league source said the Mavericks are indeed interested in the Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga, who is not tradeable until January 15 and is widely expected to be traded before the deadline, the fifth-year forward's salary ($22.5 million) is significantly less than Davis' salary ($54.1 million), so another big contract needs to be included – namely Green ($25.8 million),” Amick added. “However, as Warriors head coach Steve Kerr stated publicly last week, and team sources confirmed as much, such a move was simply not in their plans.”
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