Warriors get major update on potential trade for disrespected $186 million ex-Lakers superstar

The Golden State Warriors are hoping to shake up the NBA landscape by landing former Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. 

The 41-year-old is an unrestricted free agent and is currently weighing his options following his 23rd NBA campaign. 

One way the Warriors could convince James to sign with the franchise is by trading for ex-Lakers disrespected superstar Anthony Davis (the Lakers traded him to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic 17 months ago without informing him in advance, which is the ultimate slap in the face).

After all, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor is on the record reporting that the Warriors want to use a potential trade for Davis as a convincing pitch to lure James to the Bay. Is a Davis-centered trade feasible, though? The Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer tackled that question on Saturday.

“Are the Wizards keeping Anthony Davis,” Stein and Fisher wrote. “It will be easier to answer that more definitively later this summer after Davis becomes eligible Aug. 6 for a contract extension that he clearly wants — especially after the new deal Trae Young landed — but sources say that Washington's looming acquisition of Ayton should not be automatically deemed a precursor to Davis' exit.

“With no shortage of double-big lineups popping up around the league, sources say Washington envisions Ayton playing alongside both Davis and Alex Sarr at times.”

Essentially, the Wizards, who traded Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks to the Los Angeles Lakers, aren’t in a rush to make Davis available despite speculation that he could quickly land on the trade block without playing a game for the Wizards (he was inactive after getting shipped from the Dallas Mavericks to Washington last year due to injuries).

Although Davis’ health concerns would make him a wild card with the Dubs, his acquisition would undoubtedly make the idea of coming to the Bay far more appealing to James. 

Golden State is still on James' list of potential offseason landing spots, but without a trade for Davis, they’ll face a significant obstacle in outbidding their competition.

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