In a move that could send shockwaves through the Bay Area and the entire NBA landscape, sources close to the Golden State Warriors front office have revealed that the team is seriously exploring a drastic roster shakeup just two weeks into the 2025-26 season. The target? Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons, the enigmatic former No. 1 overall pick whose career has been a rollercoaster of highs and heartbreaking lows. And the price of admission? Waiving promising young big man Trayce Jackson-Davis to clear the necessary cap space.
This isn’t just idle speculation—it’s a calculated gamble by a franchise desperate to retool around aging superstar Stephen Curry while contending for one last championship run. With one open roster spot currently earmarked for the return of sharpshooter Seth Curry, the Warriors are reportedly weighing a bolder path: cutting ties with Jackson-Davis, whose $2.2 million contract is only minimally guaranteed ($100,000) until January 10, per Spotrac data. That financial flexibility aligns almost perfectly with a veteran minimum deal for Simmons, making this swap not just feasible, but tantalizingly simple.
The Simmons Enigma: A Career on the Brink
Ben Simmons, now 29, was once the poster child for the modern NBA big man— a 6’10” point-forward with elite defensive chops, playmaking vision, and a knack for disrupting offenses. His three All-Star nods (2019-2021) with the Philadelphia 76ers cemented his status as a cornerstone talent. But injuries, mental hurdles, and a infamous Game 7 brick from deep against the Atlanta Hawks in 2021 derailed his trajectory. Traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal for James Harden, Simmons appeared in just 57 games over three injury-plagued seasons, averaging a shadow of his former self: 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.
This summer, Simmons hit free agency amid whispers of interest from the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings. But after firing agent Bernie Lee and rejecting minimum offers, he remains unsigned—a free agent ghost haunting the league’s waiver wire. As Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus noted in a recent column, “Simmons is currently the second-best free agent available, only behind Malik Beasley, who is still dealing with off-court legal issues.” Pincus added, “He’s seeking more than a minimum, which feels unrealistic at this stage. But for a contender like Golden State, he could be the missing puzzle piece.”
Enter the Warriors, a team that thrives on ball movement, spacing, and defensive versatility. Steve Kerr’s system—built on Curry’s gravity and unselfish play—could be the perfect salve for Simmons’ offensive woes. No longer burdened by primary scoring duties, Simmons could slide into a role as a secondary facilitator, switchable defender, and occasional point-center hybrid. Imagine him sharing the floor with Curry in crunch time: Simmons initiating from the elbow, kicking to shooters like Klay Thompson or Buddy Hield, all while anchoring a top-10 defense.
Why Jackson-Davis? The Reluctant Sacrifice
Trayce Jackson-Davis, the 25-year-old undrafted gem out of Indiana, burst onto the scene last season with a breakout campaign: 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game, including a memorable playoff debut against the Kings. Signed to a three-year, $5.8 million deal, he represented the Warriors’ youth infusion—a cost-controlled big with length, finishing touch, and rim protection.
But reality has been unkind. Through seven games this season, Jackson-Davis has logged just 26 total minutes, including four straight did-not-plays (DNPs). He’s buried on the depth chart behind veteran Al Horford (acquired in the offseason) and rookie sensation Quinten Post, a 7’1″ sharpshooter from the 2025 draft class. With Kevon Looney still holding down the starting five spot, Jackson-Davis’ path to relevance feels blocked. Sources say the front office views him as expendable depth—talented, but not irreplaceable in a win-now environment.
” Trayce is a good kid with upside,” one Warriors executive told me on condition of anonymity. “But we’re not rebuilding. We’re contending, and that means tough choices. Ben brings championship pedigree and skills we can’t coach.”
Financially, it’s a no-brainer. Waiving Jackson-Davis before January 10 incurs minimal luxury tax hit, freeing up that spot for Simmons on a pro-rated minimum (around $2.1 million). It’s a low-risk audition: If Simmons revives his career in Golden State, it’s a steal. If not, the Warriors pivot back to Curry or other buyout-market vets.
On-Court Fit: A Match Made in Dub Nation Heaven?
From a basketball perspective, this swap screams synergy. Both players share non-shooting limitations—neither is a reliable floor-spacer, which clogs the paint in Kerr’s motion offense. But Simmons elevates the equation with his ball-handling (career 43.6% assist rate) and defensive IQ. He can guard 1-through-5, something Jackson-Davis, a more traditional post player, can’t match. Offensively, Simmons as Curry’s backup point guard? Picture him running pick-and-rolls with Draymond Green or Post, collapsing defenses and creating kickouts.
Defensively, the Warriors already rank sixth in points allowed per possession. Adding Simmons—a former Defensive Player of the Year candidate—could vault them into elite territory, especially against small-ball lineups from teams like the Thunder or Nuggets.
Critics will point to Simmons’ injury history (he’s missed 70% of possible games since 2021) and mental fragility. Is Golden State, with its veteran leadership, the right spot to rebuild his confidence? And what about locker room chemistry? Jackson-Davis is beloved in the organization—a Bay Area native who embodies the “We Believe” grit. Dumping him for a high-risk gamble could ruffle feathers in a group already navigating Curry’s twilight years.
Yet, for a franchise that’s won four titles this century by betting on star power, the allure is irresistible. As one rival GM put it: “If anyone can unlock Simmons 2.0, it’s Steve Kerr. This could be the steal of the deadline.”
The Clock is Ticking: What Happens Next?
The Warriors have until January 10 to pull the trigger on Jackson-Davis’ guarantee date, but insiders say discussions with Simmons’ camp have already heated up. Golden State brass, led by Mike Dunleavy Jr., are said to be “intrigued but cautious,” balancing the need for self-discovery this season with aggressive win-now moves.
Will they disrupt the harmony for a bombshell acquisition? Or stick with the status quo and let youth simmer? In the cutthroat NBA, hesitation is the enemy. If the Warriors pull this off, it won’t just save Simmons’ career—it could ignite another dynasty spark.
Stay tuned to Dub Nation Daily for updates. This saga is just getting started.