The Golden State Warriors are once again drifting toward a familiar solution: a desperate midseason swing for an All-Star, hoping to replicate the spark last year’s Jimmy Butler blockbuster brought to a fading roster. But as the losses pile up and Stephen Curry nurses a new injury, the Warriors’ most intriguing trade option may also be the league’s biggest gamble.
Warriors Eye Center Upgrade Amid Season Collapse
Golden State fell to 10–10 after a crushing 104–100 loss Wednesday night to a Houston Rockets team missing Kevin Durant. The defeat dropped the Warriors back to .500 — and took a brutal turn when Curry suffered a quad contusion that will sideline him “around a week or a little more”, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater.
With Curry hurt, veteran Al Horford sidelined by sciatica and Jonathan Kuminga still nursing knee pain, Golden State’s season is showing early signs of unraveling. League executives now expect the Warriors to explore significant trade options as the February deadline nears.
However, NBA insider Jake Fischer has already ruled out a rumored target: Sacramento Kings All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis.
Sabonis Not Happening — But an Even Bigger Name Could Be
While early talk out of Sacramento pointed toward a possible Sabonis deal, Fischer shot down the likelihood of Golden State pursuing the three-time All-Star.
“I don’t think that the Warriors are going to factor into any Sabonis Sweepstakes,” Fischer reported, noting the steep cost, the lack of rim protection and the Warriors’ unwillingness to gut their roster for his skill set.
Yet Fischer left the door open to another high-profile center — one who could fit Golden State’s system more seamlessly if healthy.
“[Anthony] Davis would be the better fit for the Warriors if healthy,” Fischer wrote, “but the 32-year-old is far from that description after missing 38 of his first 52 regular-season games since becoming a Maverick.”
Anthony Davis: Perfect Fit, Problematic Future
GettyAnthony Davis of the Dallas Mavericks is reportedly on the trade block following the firing of general manager Nico Harrison. Will the Warriors pursue a blockbuster trade?
A Davis trade — involving Golden State — presents massive upside but heavy risks.
Davis is a former NBA champion, a 10-time All-Star and one of the league’s premier two-way bigs, capable of anchoring a defense and spacing the offense as a secondary scorer. A potential Davis-Draymond Green tandem is a double-headed defensive monster. However, availability has plagued him his entire career, and his tenure with the Mavericks has arguably reached its worst point.
The gamble doesn’t stop with his health.
Fischer reported that Davis’ camp is angling for a massive extension from any team trading for him. Davis is currently in Year 1 of a three-year, $175 million deal and could command over $70 million per season on a new extension.
For comparison, Sabonis is owed roughly $95 million over the next two years, without extension demands. That financial contrast could shift how teams weigh risk vs. reward.
The High Cost of Staying in the Fight
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors lies on the floor in pain after colliding with Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets.
Golden State’s bleak outlook only adds urgency. Curry’s injury capped a miserable night that saw him collide knees with Alperen Sengun, get bowled over by Amen Thompson, and limp off the floor with 35 seconds remaining. He finished with 14 points, 7 turnovers and a worsening limp.
After Curry exited, Warriors trainer Rick Celebrini signaled that the star could not continue, and Curry headed straight to the locker room without speaking.
Golden State now faces two more home games before a brutal five-game road stretch against teams with winning records — a gauntlet that could determine whether management chases a blockbuster trade or waves the white flag on the season.
What Comes Next?
The Warriors have proven in recent years that they will not hesitate to take a monumental swing if their season is slipping away. Last year, that boldness landed Butler and sparked a 23–8 run.
A similar move now may be their only lifeline. The question isn’t whether Golden State wants another All-Star big — it’s whether they’re willing to risk their future for a broken one.
As Fischer put it: Davis might be the answer…but only if the Warriors believe they can survive the gamble.
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