In a stunning hypothetical deal, Golden State would finally land its long-coveted star big man, sacrificing Jimmy Butler to form a new-look duo of Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors’ quest to find a dominant frontcourt force could lead them to the biggest shake-up of the Steve Kerr era. A new, complex trade proposal from CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn envisions a blockbuster three-team deal that would send Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis to the Warriors, with Jimmy Butler heading to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The proposed framework, designed to facilitate a Mavericks rebuild around rookie Cooper Flagg, is as follows:
Golden State Warriors receive: Anthony Davis
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jimmy Butler
Dallas Mavericks receive: Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Taurean Prince, a 2032 first-round pick (via GSW), 2030 first-round swap rights (via MIL), and 2032 first-round swap rights (via MIL)
“The Warriors have been eyeing Davis for close to a decade now,” Quinn wrote. “Giving up Butler would sting… but getting Davis would be worth it.”
The Allure of Anthony Davis
For the Warriors, acquiring Davis would represent the ultimate upgrade. Quinn describes him as “a meaningful upgrade on Butler and an absolute perfect fit in Golden State,” who would become “Stephen Curry’s best teammate since Kevin Durant.”
While not a floor-spacing big, Davis’ offensive versatility is unparalleled. He can punish defenders from the mid-range, dominate in the low post with physicality, and provide the “vertical dimension” the Warriors’ offense has historically lacked. Defensively, he remains an elite rim-protector capable of anchoring a championship-level defense.
The Logic Behind the Three-Team Structure
The primary hurdle is salary matching. A direct Butler-for-Davis swap is complicated, and a rebuilding Dallas team would have little interest in the 36-year-old Butler.
This is where the Milwaukee Bucks enter as the perfect facilitator. As a “wing-needy win-now team” with abundant shooting, they can absorb Butler’s non-three-point shooting style to add a proven, high-level playoff performer to their core.
Dallas, in return, receives a package of veteran role players and crucial future draft assets—including multiple first-round picks and swaps—to stockpile talent around Flagg.
A Calculated Gamble for Golden State
Trading Butler after less than two full seasons would be a bold and controversial move. However, pairing the 32-year-old Davis with Curry and Draymond Green creates a “Big Three” with a clearer path to contention, addressing the team’s most glaring weakness with a top-tier talent.
While this proposal remains in the realm of speculation, it underscores the Warriors’ pressing need for frontcourt help and the dramatic measures they might consider to capitalize on the final years of Stephen Curry’s prime.