Anthony Davis or Domantas Sabonis? What the Warriors trade makes more sense

The Golden State Warriors‘ there is not much time left in the championship period. A grueling schedule highlighted by a number of back-to-back players, along with some unfortunate injury woes, has made for an underwhelming start to the 2025-26 season. Stephen Curry will only be able to carry the team on his back for so long, and even he was injured in Golden State’s last game.

Warriors are one of the oldest teams in the NBA. They may need to add a big-name player before the trade deadline to put themselves in real championship contention. The Warriors have long needed big man help, and that was evident this year as Draymond Green was forced to play small ball five times more than optimal.

Fortunately, some star players in the frontcourt have already been tossed around in trade rumors. Both Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis are trade candidates who might make sense for the Warriors, but which player would be a better fit for Golden State?

The case for Anthony Davis

on paper, Davis would be a fantastic fit with the Warriors. However, the whole Davies intrigue is based on a hypothetical. He and Green would form an electric frontcourt duo, with both of them in between the best defenders ever. Teams would have a hard time scoring inside on the Warriors, and both Green and Davis are versatile enough to defend on the perimeter as well.

Offensively, Davis would add a dynamic the Warriors never had during their dynasty. He can score inside, outside or off the rebound. Most Warriors centers during the Curry era have been limited to running the rim and finishing the game, with the exception of Quinten Post, who can knock down threes but doesn’t do much else.

However, a A Davis trade would have to include either Green’s or Jimmy Butler’s contractin addition to role players like Buddy Hield, and/or Moses Moody, and/or Jonathan Cumminga. The aging Warriors already have depth issues, and Davis can’t be trusted to play on a nightly basis. The oft-injured 10-time All-Star has played in just 14 games for the Dallas Mavericks since their shocking trade for him.

His tenure in Dallas was so disastrous that the team is already sacked by Nico Harrison, and now they seem desperate to get out of Davis’ three-year deal. Davis has less trade value than Sabonis, so it wouldn’t take much capital to add him, but the contracts wouldn’t match without giving up too much.

Butler is a great fit with the Warriors, and Green will likely be a lifelong member of the franchise. With so few years of contention left, the Warriors can’t afford to gamble as big as adding Davis, especially not at what it would cost to trade for him.

Why Domantas Sabonis is better for the Warriors

Sabonis, like Green, can operate from the high post and facilitate the shooters. This strategy has long worked wonders for Curry and would only boost the Warriors’ offense. Moreover, Sabonis has long been one of the best rebounders in the NBA. He led the league in double-doubles last year and rebounds per game in each of the last three seasons.

On a team that likes to shoot the deep ball as much as Golden State, having someone who can take advantage of second chances would be a luxury. Sabonis’ ability to set screens would also round out the roster nicely. Doc Sabonis is currently sidelined with a meniscus injury. he is usually reliable when it comes to being on the field. The Warriors would, of course, have to make sure the doctors are clear before trading him, but he would be a really great fit for Golden State.

Sabonis isn’t a defensive player like Davis, and it may take some capital to acquire him, but the Warriors could keep most of their core while making a Sabonis trade. Moody, Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga could be used in a trade, the latter of which was linked to Sacramento all offseason.

The Kings seem ready to blow things up, and their known interest in Kuminga could make the Sabonis trade relatively simple. Sabonis is also only 29 years old, so not only could he help the Warriors this year, but he could also contribute after Curry, Butler and Green move on.

In all likelihood, a trade for Davis or Sabonis will not be easy to pull off. Both players come at a high price and have plenty of red flags. However, the Warriors may have to make a fine move, and if it came down to Davis or Sabonis, the Kings star would be the right choice.