Mock Trade Has Warriors Swapping Jimmy Butler for Former Lakers Champion
The Golden State Warriors enter the offseason coming off a disappointing season that saw them finish 10th in the Western Conference standings and miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2023-24 season.
Of course, the Warriors had high expectations entering last season with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green leading the way, though they were unable to live up to them.
Instead, Golden State struggled for most of the season, especially with Curry playing only 43 games due to injuries and Butler suffering a torn ACL in January.
Because of this, the Warriors may look to add another star to their roster this offseason to make a run at another championship.
Golden State has been linked to multiple players entering the summer, including LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, though a recent mock trade has them landing a star big man from the Washington Wizards.
Mock Trade Sends Jimmy Butler to Wizards for Anthony Davis
In a mock trade released by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes, he has the Warriors sending Butler and the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Wizards in exchange for star forward Anthony Davis.
For the Warriors, moving on from Butler could be a tough decision for them to make, though he is set to miss most of the 2026-27 season while recovering from a torn ACL, along with them having to give up the 11th pick in the upcoming draft.
Because of this, Golden State may elect to move the veteran forward this offseason and by making this trade with Washington, the team would be able to fill a glaring hole at the center position.
Davis would provide the Warriors with a much-needed big man with championship experience from his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as elite scoring, rebounding, and defense that would significantly upgrade their center position.
Of course, Davis' injury issues could be a concern for Golden State, as the 33-year-old played only 20 games last season and has appeared in more than 60 games just once over the past six years.
While that may be the case, Davis is a dominant force inside when healthy, and if he can stay on the court for the Warriors, he could be one of the missing pieces they need to make another run at a championship.
Despite this, the Warriors look elsewhere for another star if they trade Butler this offseason while the Wizards may be unwilling to move Davis before he plays a game for them.
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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 12:40 PM.