Warriors out of LeBron James sweepstakes after bailing on Anthony Davis trade, per report

The Golden State Warriors had big plans for this offseason to give Stephen Curry one last shot at a fifth championship. The Warriors entered the summer hoping to sign LeBron James in free agency and trade for Anthony Davis to unite the former superstar teammates with Curry and Draymond Green. While James still hasn’t decided on where he’ll play next year, Golden State is now reportedly out of the running because they don’t want to meet the Washington Wizards’ ridiculous asking price for Davis.

Charania reports that the Warriors believe they’re not a finalist to sign James unless they swing a trade for Anthony Davis. The Warriors’ need to land Davis to sign LeBron puts the Washington Wizards in a position of power, and right now they’re using every ounce of leverage in the Davis trade discussions. Washington reportedly wants Jimmy Butler, multiple first-round picks, multiple first-round swaps, and multiple second-round picks from Golden State for Davis, according to Charania. If they can’t do it, LeBron is likely to sign elsewhere.

Listen to Charania breakdown the Warriors’ place in James sweepstakes here:

At the moment, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers are believed to be the front-runners to sign James in free agency.

The Wizards didn’t really give up much to get Davis from the Dallas Mavericks at February’s trade deadline. Washington parted with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 first-round pick (No. 30 overall) and a top-20 protected 2030 Golden State Warriors pick in addition to matching contracts to land Davis. Davis didn’t play a game for the franchise, but the Wizards now could flip him for an even bigger haul of assets if the Warriors really get desperate. There’s only one problem: at least for right now, Golden State rightfully isn’t going to play ball.

James and Davis won a championship together with the Los Angeles Lakers inside the bubble in 2020. Both are represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, which has set off speculation that the agency is using Golden State’s interest to get an extension for Davis in Washington.

I think everyone is right in this situation:

• LeBron is right for not wanting to sign in Golden State without Davis. The Warriors aren’t going to be a championship team if they just add James, especially not with Jimmy Butler out for most of next season as he recovers from a torn ACL.
• The Wizards are right to use all of their leverage to rob the Warriors. The reality is that Washington isn’t going to be very good even with Davis on the roster next year, and he doesn’t fit their timeline around No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa at 33 years old. Washington should continue to press Golden State for all it has right up until the moment LeBron is ready to announce his decision.
• The Warriors are right not to want to give up multiple firsts and multiple swaps for Davis, who just isn’t a reliable player due to constant injuries.

Will the Warriors eventually change their minds? Will the Wizards eventually lower the asking price? It’s all still on the table until LeBron finally decides where he’s playing next year.