One week after rebuffing the Mavericks' pitch for Anthony Davis, the Golden State Warriors are actively scouting the center trade market ahead of the February 5 deadline. Al Horford's inconsistent season fuels the push, with lingering interest in Davis—despite his Dallas extension preference—and eyes on other bigs, while safeguarding Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.
Following the Mavericks' December overture for Anthony Davis, which Golden State largely dismissed, the Warriors have pivoted to broader exploration of center upgrades, per ESPN's Anthony Slater. Al Horford, their top offseason addition, showed early-season injury and ineffectiveness but has gained slight rhythm—yet the need persists, league sources say.
Davis remains a focal point. Though the 32-year-old Mavericks star prefers staying for a summer extension (over $130M remaining), Dallas seeks a trade amid durability and transition concerns. ESPN's Tim MacMahon notes midseason deals are tough, while The Athletic's Sam Amick and Josh Robbins predict an offseason move, possibly multi-team.
Additional targets include Brooklyn's Nic Claxton, Portland's Robert Williams III, and Dallas' Daniel Gafford. Salary hurdles loom without moving Green or Butler; packages center Jonathan Kuminga ($22.5M), Moses Moody ($11.5M), Buddy Hield ($9.2M), Brandin Podziemski ($3.6M), and up to three first-rounders. Amick highlights matching issues for elite salaries.
Golden State prioritizes stretch-big profiles like Horford and Quinten Post. Exploratory Kuminga talks have surfaced, avoiding long-term negative contracts. With weeks left, options evolve.
