​The Warriors cannot waste another season with Steph Curry. They must go all-in to pursue LeBron James, which means bringing Anthony Davis into the fold. James is weighing several options, but Golden State could land him if they also land Davis. Getty Images notes that James would be far more inclined to join the Warriors if Davis is added, a player he teamed with on the Lakers for five and a half seasons, winning a championship together in 2020. The Warriors have to make it happen. Free agency is slipping away, and their roster barely differs from last year. Curry will turn 39 during the coming season, and their only real shot at another title is to add James—and Davis—to the roster.
Land Davis would require shipping out salary to match, likely sending Jimmy Butler away, and giving up multiple first-round picks and pick swaps. It would affect their future, but it could also ensure Curry’s twilight years aren’t wasted. Curry, widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time, remains a top-10 player. The Warriors must give him a real chance to win a fifth ring and take some risks. They kept the core together by re-signing longtime coach Steve Kerr, and now they must let the band truly shine.
Some in the league view adding Davis, who is often injured and is 33, as a risky move. He played only 20 games for the Mavericks before being traded to the Wizards in February, and his contract is a massive $58 million this season with a nearly $63 million player option for 2027-28. In other words, it’s huge. But what other option exists for the Warriors to significantly improve and contend for a title? Yes, giving up first-round picks is painful, but it’s the only path to a blockbuster deal that changes their trajectory. If they don’t pull the trigger, they’ll likely stagnate and settle for mediocrity.
Other teams are taking bold chances. The Lakers, for instance, paid $130 million over four years plus two first-round picks and two swaps for Walker Kessler. Was that a great deal? Probably not. Was it worth giving Luka Doncic a dream center and a shot at competing in the West? Absolutely. As things stand, the Warriors can’t beat the elite teams in the West. If they convince James to join and then trade for Davis, they’d have a real shot. Even though James will be 42 next season, he can still be the best player on the floor on any given night. Last season he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists, and he nearly single-handedly propelled the Lakers past the Rockets in the first round. James changes the Warriors’ ceiling and could bring immense attention to The Bay, with fans eager to see James and Curry share the court.