Draymond Green gave the Golden State Warriors more financial freedom when he declined his $27.7 million player option. Anthony Davis was the main trade target. The larger vision was even bolder. Golden State hoped Davis could help bring LeBron James to the Bay, placing the former Lakers champions beside Stephen Curry and Green for another title run.
Washington has refused to cooperate. The Wizards are not entertaining offers for Davis, and Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul has publicly said his client expects to play in Washington next season. Davis has yet to appear for the franchise since arriving in February, but the Wizards see him as a veteran anchor for a roster featuring Trae Young, AJ Dybantsa, and Alex Sarr.
The Warriors created room to chase a blockbuster. They cannot complete one unless Washington changes its position.
The Financial Math Remains A Major Obstacle
Green opted out to give the Warriors maximum roster flexibility. Golden State can negotiate a different contract with him while exploring ways to add another star. His decision created options, but it did not solve the enormous financial challenge of acquiring Davis.
Davis is due $58.46 million next season. Golden State must send out significant salary to satisfy NBA trade rules, which is why Jimmy Butler has appeared in reported frameworks.
Butler is not merely a convenient salary figure. Golden State acquired him from Miami in 2025 and signed him to a 2 year, $121 million extension. He is now recovering from a torn right ACL suffered in January. His injury complicates both his value to Washington and the Warriors’ willingness to move him before seeing what he can provide beside Curry.
The Times of India reported that Washington’s asking price extended beyond Butler. The proposed return also involved multiple first round picks, multiple second round selections and pick swaps. The exact years and protections have not been made public.
That would leave Golden State trading an established star and a large portion of its future draft control. It is a major commitment for Davis, who will be 33 and managed only 20 appearances last season.
His next contract creates another layer of risk. ESPN reported that Davis becomes eligible on August 6 for a 4 year extension worth as much as $275 million. The final season would pay him about $76.1 million at age 37. The contract stops before an Over 38 season, but the rule still matters in any long term planning because teams cannot freely push compensation into later years to ease the immediate cap burden.
The central question is not whether Davis still has star value. It is whether Golden State can justify the salary, assets and health risk required to acquire him.
Washington Has Built A Clear Role For Davis
Davis arrived in Washington through a 9 player, 3 team deadline trade involving the Wizards, Mavericks and Hornets. NBA.com detailed a deal that sent Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson and Marvin Bagley III from Washington to Dallas. Tyus Jones also moved from Charlotte to the Mavericks.
The Wizards received Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. Washington made the trade without giving up the young players it considers central to its future.
Injuries prevented Davis from making his Wizards debut, but he still controlled the paint when healthy last season. The 10 time All Star averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 blocks across 20 games. His rebounding, interior scoring and defensive range remain elite when his body allows him to stay on the floor.
Washington also has a roster structure that explains its stance. Young can organize the offense. Dybantsa offers the potential to become a primary scorer. Sarr brings length and defensive versatility. Davis can protect the rim, finish inside and absorb some of the physical burden while the younger players develop.
“Yes. Why wouldn’t he?” Rich Paul said when asked whether Davis would play for Washington next season.
Paul also said he knew nothing about an active trade. His comments do not guarantee that Davis will remain with the Wizards for the entire season, but they remove any suggestion that his camp is pushing for an immediate exit.
Reuters also reported that Washington has no interest in listening to trade offers. Without pressure from Davis, the Wizards have little reason to lower their price or accelerate negotiations.
Washington’s Stance Is Closing The LeBron Door
Golden State’s pursuit of Davis was never an isolated move. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Green’s option decision gave the Warriors flexibility to pursue Davis through a trade and James in free agency.
The connection between those 2 moves was central to the plan. James and Davis won the 2020 championship together with the Lakers. Bringing Davis to Golden State could have made the Warriors a more attractive destination for James and created a veteran core built around 4 future Hall of Fame players.
That possibility is now fading because Washington has refused to make Davis available. Without Davis, the strongest reason for James to consider Golden State weakens. The Warriors can still sell him on playing beside Curry and Green, but the proposed reunion with his former Lakers teammate was a major part of the appeal.
The basketball fit would have been clear. Davis could give Curry an elite screen setter, lob target and interior scorer. His rim protection would address one of Golden State’s biggest needs without forcing the team to abandon its movement-based offense.
Yet Washington controls the entire chain of events. The Wizards own Davis’ contract, face no public demand from him to leave and can discuss a lucrative extension with him in August. Golden State reportedly does not want to sacrifice Butler, while Washington has shown no willingness to reduce its demands.
Green gave the Warriors the flexibility to explore an extraordinary move. Washington’s refusal to negotiate has left both the Davis trade and the James pursuit without a clear path forward.
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FAQs
Why will the Wizards not trade Anthony Davis?
Washington views Davis as a veteran anchor for a roster built around Trae Young, AJ Dybantsa and Alex Sarr. Davis has not requested a move.
What would the Warriors have to trade for Anthony Davis?
Golden State would need to send out major salary. Reported frameworks have included Jimmy Butler, draft picks, second-round selections and pick swaps.
How did Draymond Green help the Warriors pursue Davis?
Green declined his player option, giving Golden State more financial flexibility. His decision created possibilities but did not remove the NBA’s salary-matching requirements.
Could trading for Davis help the Warriors sign LeBron James?
That was reportedly part of Golden State’s plan. Reuniting James with Davis could have made playing beside Stephen Curry and Green more attractive.
When can Anthony Davis sign his next extension?
Davis becomes eligible on August 6 for an extension worth up to four years and $275 million.
