NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor believes it’s “foolish” that the Golden State Warriors aren’t pursuing an Anthony Davis trade amid their interest in LeBron James. Golden State reportedly prefers to keep Jimmy Butler over trading for Davis.
A potential Davis trade could be the key to James choosing Golden State in free agency, as it improves the team’s chances of contending in the Western Conference. However, there’s been no indication that Golden State is trying to acquire Davis from the Washington Wizards.
O’Connor wasn’t a fan of this apparent decision and ranked Golden State fourth in his list of top-10 landing spots for James in free agency.
“There’s no indication that they’re [Warriors] going to trade for Anthony Davis, which I think would be a foolish decision,” he said on Friday’s episode of The Kevin O’Connor Show.
“If you can get LeBron James and Anthony Davis by trading Jimmy Butler, who has a torn ACL and is in his mid-30s and is a shell of his former self, why would you not trade that guy to go get Anthony Davis? Well, ’cause you’re afraid of giving up two future picks?”
Kevin O’Connor argued that because Steph Curry is still a top-five or top-10 player in the NBA, there’s no reason the Warriors should hold onto an injured Jimmy Butler and future picks.
O’Connor also warned the Warriors that their stubbornness about not trading Butler for Davis could lead to Draymond Green leaving the team and joining LeBron James elsewhere. He feels Green is part of the package deal with Davis and James, as the former Defensive Player of the Year is also an unrestricted free agent and can leave.
O’Connor cited the Warriors’ willingness to trade Green in a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. He believes Green knows he could get traded six months down the line when he becomes eligible after signing a new contract extension, which could motivate him to leave now if the Warriors don’t add Davis and James.
Report: Warriors not atop LeBron James’ wishlist as Anthony Davis trade looks unlikely
LeBron James is taking his time to decide the next step of his career. The Golden State Warriors were widely considered favorites to land him after James’ agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN that he was leaving the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
However, amid the Warriors’ hesitation to pursue Anthony Davis, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Friday that they have dropped a few spots on James’ wishlist.
“The Warriors, going into free agency, they dreamt up a grand plan of Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, but the big domino with them is trying to get a player like an Anthony Davis, you can bring in LeBron James and Anthony Davis as a package deal. Short of that, they’re not really looked at right now at the top of this list.”
The Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets have also reportedly joined the James sweepstakes, while the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers remain a threat. Given the talent on each of their rosters, it would be difficult for the Golden State Warriors to lure James without a blockbuster trade addition.
Read more:
- $3.6B Franchise Believes it has “Best Situation” for LeBron James Amid Reinforced Pursuit: Report
- Rich Paul Makes Intriguing Claim on LeBron James’ Level of Interest in Knicks
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