Draymond Green declined his $27.6 million player option for the 2026-27 season on June 29, clearing salary cap space for the Golden State Warriors to pursue major roster additions [1, 2, 3]. The Warriors are targeting free agent LeBron James using the non-taxpayer midlevel exception worth about $15.1 million [1, 4, 2, 3, 5, 6].
Golden State also aims to trade for Anthony Davis from the Washington Wizards, offering injured veteran Jimmy Butler and draft assets in return [1, 4, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10]. However, the Wizards have shown reluctance to trade Davis, preferring to keep him alongside Trae Young and their young core [4, 7, 9, 10]. Washington is unlikely to accept Butler given his ACL injury, age (36), and $57 million expiring contract [4, 7, 8, 9, 10].
LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Anthony Davis are close friends and former Lakers teammates who won the 2020 NBA championship together [1, 2, 9, 10]. LeBron is 41 years old and considering whether to play a 24th NBA season, with an estimated net worth around $1.4 billion [1, 11, 6]. The Warriors' potential starting lineup featuring these players would be among the oldest in the NBA, averaging about 37 years old [1, 4].
The Warriors signed Kristaps Porziņģis to a two-year, $40 million contract recently, complicating available cap space [3, 5]. If Golden State acquires Davis and signs James, they may have to trade Butler or other salary to comply with cap limits [1, 2, 5, 9, 10]. Butler said, "You talking about being traded? It wouldn't be the first time. [But] it's good to know that I'm wanted here. If I get traded, I get traded. Their job is to win. Can I help them do that? Yes." [2]
Washington Wizards GM Will Dawkins said, "We'll have that conversation in the middle of August when we can officially have that," referring to trade discussions [4]. The Warriors are actively pursuing Davis and view acquiring him as key to attracting LeBron James [1, 2, 9, 10], but Washington's recent roster moves indicate it wants to keep Davis [4, 11, 7, 8].
The coming weeks will be critical as Golden State tries to finalize trades and free agent signings to build their 2026-27 roster around this veteran core.
