The Golden State Warriors’ dream of pairing LeBron James and Anthony Davis with Stephen Curry appears to be losing steam before free agency even fully takes shape.
After days of speculation that Golden State were attempting try to sign James and trade for Davis, the Washington Wizards are reportedly not interested in moving the star big man.
According to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, Washington is not entertaining trade offers for Davis, with one NBA executive saying Wizards general manager Will Dawkins is a major admirer of the 10-time All-Star.
That stance deals a major blow to one of the wildest rumors of the offseason.
The idea gained traction after Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option, a move that opened the door for speculation about Golden State creating more flexibility.
The Warriors hoped to reunite James and Davis, who won a championship together with the Lakers in 2020, while keeping Curry and Green in place.
That would have required several moving pieces. Golden State likely would have needed to involve Jimmy Butler’s large expiring salary to make a Davis trade work.
Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, also pushed back on the idea that Golden State would move him for Davis, telling ESPN that the Warriors have been firm in their plan to help Butler rehab his ACL injury and return with the team.
And now the momentum has shifted.
Davis’ future with the Wizards had been unclear since Washington acquired him from the Dallas Mavericks in a February trade. His age, injury history and massive contract made him an obvious name to watch. Davis is set to earn $58.5 million in 2026-27 and holds a $62.8 million player option for the following season.
He has also played in just 243 of a possible 410 games over the past five seasons.
Still, Washington appears ready to keep him. When healthy, Davis remains one of the league’s best two-way big men. He averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks last season while shooting 50.6 percent from the field.
For the Wizards, the plan now appears to be building around Davis, Trae Young and No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa.
For the Warriors, the LeBron chase may continue. They are now the front runners according to betting markets.
But the Davis part of the dream looks finished.
