The Golden State Warriors have shifted their summer roster strategy, launching a plan to pursue free agent LeBron James and trade for Anthony Davis after forward Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option on Monday.
According to league sources cited by ESPN's Shams Charania, Green bypassed his one-year financial guarantee ahead of the afternoon deadline, granting the franchise immediate financial flexibility for a significant roster upgrade.
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Financial Flexibility Opens Door for Superstar Quartet
By clearing this salary space, the Warriors can now offer a free agent the full $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception, potentially opening the door to form a superstar quartet alongside Stephen Curry.
The pursuit of Davis from the Washington Wizards is viewed by league sources as an extra motivational tactic to entice James, who remains close friends with Davis after winning a championship together in 2020.
To facilitate a trade for Davis, who is owed $58.4 million next season, Golden State would likely need to include wing player Jimmy Butler to match salaries, despite previously indicating behind the scenes that they prefer to keep him.
Butler addressed the trade speculation, saying, "You talking about being traded? It wouldn't be the first time.
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[But] it's good to know that I'm wanted here. If I get traded, I get traded."
He added, "Their job is to win. Can I help them do that?
Yes.
If they feel like somebody else can help them do that on a quicker timetable than whenever I come back, then they got to go and do that, but as of right now, I'm here."
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The Warriors are coming off a difficult 37-45 season where they finished 10th in the Western Conference and missed the postseason after a play-in tournament loss to the Phoenix Suns.
