The Golden Pair: Why the Warriors Are Exploring a Blockbuster for Anthony Davis
The NBA rumor mill has officially hit a fever pitch, and at its center is a potential seismic shift in the Western Conference hierarchy. As the Golden State Warriors (16-15) battle to remain in the thick of the playoff race, reports have surfaced that GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. is exploring a blockbuster trade to pair Stephen Curry with a superstar anchor from the Dallas Mavericks: Anthony Davis.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Warriors have identified interior defense and rim protection as their “number one priority” heading into the February 5 trade deadline. While the Mavericks (12-21) have taken a patient approach since firing GM Nico Harrison, their current six-game road slide and Davis’s recent injury on Christmas Day have reportedly opened a window for the Warriors to make their move.
The Vision: Curry and Davis as the Ultimate “Two-Man Game”
The logic behind the Warriors’ pursuit is simple: maximize the remaining prime of Stephen Curry. Despite his historic brilliance, Curry has lacked a dominant interior partner since the early days of the dynasty. Pairing the greatest shooter in NBA history with arguably the most versatile defensive big man of his generation would create a nightmare for opposing coaches.
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Vertical Gravity: Davis provides the lob threat and rim-running presence that the Warriors’ motion offense has lacked.
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Defensive Transformation: Golden State currently ranks in the middle of the pack in defensive efficiency. Inserting a healthy Anthony Davis—a five-time All-NBA defender—would instantly vault them into the elite tier of contenders.
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The “Butler” Factor: With Jimmy Butler already on the roster, the Warriors are looking to form a veteran “Big Three” capable of rivaling the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The “Price of Greatness”: What Dallas Wants
While the Warriors are “contemplating making a case,” Chris Haynes notes that the Mavericks are “not that fascinated” with the assets currently on Golden State’s books. For a trade of this magnitude to work, a third team may be necessary to facilitate the salary and asset exchange.
The Hurdles in a Direct Swap:
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Salary Matching: Davis is earning $54.1 million this season. The Warriors are currently just $264,000 below the second-apron hard cap, meaning they cannot take back more salary than they send out.
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The Draymond Dilemma: To match Davis’s salary, the Warriors would likely have to include Draymond Green ($25.9M) and Jonathan Kuminga ($22.5M). However, reports indicate Golden State is highly resistant to trading Green unless Curry gives the “green light.”
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Draft Capital: Dallas is reportedly focused on building around Cooper Flagg. They are seeking high-value unprotected picks, while the Warriors prefer to keep their post-2026 selections.
| Trade Piece | Value to Dallas | Value to Golden State |
| Jonathan Kuminga | High (Youth/Athleticism) | High (Potential/Salary filler) |
| Draymond Green | Low (Age/Contract length) | Essential (Identity/Leadership) |
| 2026 1st Round Pick | Medium | High (Final chip for Curry era) |
The Injury Shadow: A Calculated Risk
The biggest “if” in this entire scenario remains Anthony Davis’s health. The irony of the current trade buzz is that Davis was injured against the Warriors on Christmas Day, suffering a right adductor strain that has kept him out of subsequent games.
For Golden State, this is a “swing for the fences” gamble. They are weighing the risk of Davis’s injury history against the certainty that their current roster, as constructed, is likely a first-round exit. As Rachel Nichols recently suggested, the Mavericks may be “stuck” in a situation where Davis’s trade value is at an all-time low—a reality the Warriors hope to exploit.
The Verdict: A Deadline Defining Moment
If the Warriors can find a way to land Davis without gutting their entire defensive identity, it would represent the most aggressive move of the Mike Dunleavy Jr. era. For Stephen Curry, it would be the ultimate show of faith from the front office—a signal that the Warriors are not ready to go gently into the night.
The fuse has been lit. With the Atlanta Hawks also emerging as a “determined suitor” for Davis, the Warriors will have to act fast if they want to secure the superstar pairing that could define the next two years of NBA basketball.
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