The Warriors appear to be eager to join the trade deadline frenzy in the NBA.
Recently, a major trade rocked the league as the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Utah Jazz orchestrated a three-team deal, sending Luka Doncic to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Mavericks. The Mavs received Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. Meanwhile, the Lakers got Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris, while the Jazz ended up with Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2025 second-round pick from both teams.
In another massive trade, the Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls finalized a deal that saw the Spurs land De’Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin, the Kings acquire Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, and six draft picks, and the Bulls get Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, and the Spurs’ 2025 first-round pick.
Now, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly eager to make a move before the February 6 trade deadline, hoping to secure a major acquisition to play alongside Stephen Curry. The Warriors are rumored to be pursuing not just one, but two superstars: LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Reports suggest the Warriors are attempting to acquire both LeBron James and Kevin Durant
On Monday, ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania shared on The Pat McAfee Show that the Warriors have been relentlessly chasing a second superstar ahead of the trade deadline. Charania explained, “The Warriors are calling about every All-Star player. Paul George? They’ve called—every star. That includes LeBron, Durant, Jimmy Butler. They’re trying to find another star to pair with Curry.”
Jake Fischer from The Stein Line also confirmed that Golden State’s dream scenario involves landing both LeBron and Durant. “Sources say the most ambitious idea among Golden State’s brass is finding a way to bring both James and Durant to the Bay Area.”
Not long ago, the prospect of adding both LeBron and Durant seemed far-fetched. However, after the Mavs and Lakers blockbuster, nearly anything now appears feasible.
However, the challenge for the Warriors lies in figuring out how to balance the salaries and talent needed to acquire these two former MVPs, whose combined salaries near $100 million this season. Since Golden State is already hard-capped at the first luxury tax apron, they’d likely need to match that amount in return. This could mean parting with high-paid players like Andrew Wiggins, who earns over $26 million, and possibly Draymond Green, making more than $24 million for the 2024-25 season.
Though Jonathan Kuminga makes significantly less at $7.636 million, he might also be on the chopping block, along with others. If the Warriors can pull it off, they would need to weigh if trading away young talent for a short-term shot at a title with James and Durant is worth the sacrifice.