The Golden State Warriors have reached a pivotal crossroads - one that could define not just the remainder of this season, but the future of their franchise. With the NBA trade deadline looming, the front office is staring down a high-stakes decision that’s as complex as it is consequential.
The latest wrinkle? Jimmy Butler is out for the season with a torn right ACL.
That injury doesn’t just sideline one of the team’s top players - it throws a wrench into any plans Golden State had for making a playoff push. And now, the Warriors have to ask themselves a tough question: How do you bring in another All-Star to pair with Stephen Curry when Curry himself might be your most valuable trade chip?
Let’s be clear - the idea of trading Curry is far from likely. But the fact that it’s even a topic of conversation speaks volumes about where the Warriors are right now. They’re in that uncomfortable space between chasing one last title with their aging core and pivoting toward a full rebuild.
Golden State has been shopping Jonathan Kuminga for weeks, hoping the former lottery pick could net them a significant return. But according to GM Mike Dunleavy, the market just isn’t there. He admitted Tuesday that demand for Kuminga is “barely existent,” which is a tough pill to swallow for a team that once saw him as a cornerstone of their youth movement.
This all comes on the heels of a brutal 145-127 loss to the Toronto Raptors - a game that snapped a stretch where the Warriors had won 12 of their previous 16. That run had sparked some optimism, even with Curry sidelined by a left hand ligament injury. But Butler’s season-ending injury changes everything.
One possible path forward? Move Butler’s contract now and avoid the $57 million cap hit he’s owed next season - a season he’ll likely spend rehabbing. That kind of financial flexibility could be crucial if the Warriors want to retool around Curry without blowing things up entirely.
A proposed blockbuster deal making the rounds would send Butler to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis - a move that would certainly shake up the Western Conference landscape.
The rumored trade:
- Warriors receive: Anthony Davis
- Mavericks receive: Jimmy Butler, 2026 first-round pick (top-four protected), 2028 first-round pick
From Golden State’s perspective, this is about pairing Curry with another elite, championship-tested star. Davis brings size, defense, and a résumé that includes a title and multiple All-Star nods. If Curry returns healthy in the coming weeks, a Curry-Davis duo could give the Warriors a legitimate shot at making noise in the playoffs - or at least extending their competitive window.
For Dallas, the motivation is clear. After this season, the Mavs don’t control their own first-round pick until 2031.
That’s a long time to be without draft capital. By acquiring Butler and two future firsts from Golden State, they’d not only add a veteran wing to pair with their young star Cooper Flagg, but also regain some much-needed flexibility for the future.
Of course, there are plenty of hurdles to clear. Davis has dealt with his own share of injuries, and Butler’s contract is a financial anchor. But in a league where stars move fast and windows close even faster, bold moves like this are how franchises either stay relevant - or find themselves watching the playoffs from home.
The Warriors have always been a team that bets big. Whether they double down on their current core or start reshuffling the deck, one thing’s for sure: the next few weeks are going to be critical. And with Curry’s timeline for return still fluid, the front office doesn’t have the luxury of waiting around.
Golden State’s dynasty may be in transition, but that doesn’t mean they’re done. Not yet.