Mavericks Initiated Anthony Davis Trade Talks With Warriors

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As the trade deadline approaches, one potential blockbuster idea has surfaced involving the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks, but the interest appears to be far from mutual.

Dallas has explored the possibility of a deal centered around Anthony Davis, reaching out to Golden State to gauge interest rather than responding to a push from the Warriors, according to reporting from The Athletic.

“A Butler-for-Davis swap works financially, as the Warriors forward also makes $54.1 million this season, but Golden State has shown no interest in making such a move,” The Athletic’s Sam Amick wrote. “While team sources say the Warriors have not completely closed the door on the prospect of doing a Davis deal, it appears unlikely. What’s more, it should be noted that the Mavericks called Golden State about the Davis possibility — and not the other way around.”

That distinction matters. While Anthony Davis remains one of the league’s most impactful big men when healthy, acquiring him would require Golden State to part with a major veteran salary.

Team sources indicated that moving either Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler is not something the organization is willing to consider.

Dallas, however, is believed to have interest in a different piece of Golden State’s roster. Jonathan Kuminga, who cannot be traded until January 15th, has reportedly drawn attention from the Mavericks as a potential building block.

“While a league source said the Mavericks do have interest in the Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, who can’t be traded until Jan. 15 but is widely expected to be dealt before the deadline, the 5th-year forward’s salary ($22.5 million) comes well short of Davis’ ($54.1 million) and would thus require the inclusion of another big contract — i.e. Green ($25.8 million),” Amick added. “Yet as Warriors coach Steve Kerr said publicly last week, and team sources confirmed, a move like that is simply not in their plans.”