It is officially the week of the NBA Trade Deadline, and the basketball world has already seen some wild transactions. In a shocking move, the Dallas Mavericks sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Additionally, the Sacramento Kings sent De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs. In return, they got Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls, who had been in trade rumors for years. In the past LaVine had been the subject of numerous trade rumors. This includes trade rumors involving the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets. Though he is now on his way to Sacramento (which was years in the making), the Warriors reportedly pursued a trade for LaVine.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Warriors explored a trade that would have landed them LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. It is unknown exactly why this never came to fruition. However, Stein also mentioned that the Warriors have shifted focus to “other trade pursuits.”
League sources say that the Warriors did seriously explore trade constructions that would have brought both Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević to the Bay Area before Golden State opted to focus on other trade pursuits.
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— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 3, 2025
Golden State Warriors Explored Trade for Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic
Zach LaVine Was Open to Warriors Trade
According to multiple writers at The Athletic (subscription required), LaVine was open to the idea of playing in Golden State.
“As for LaVine, who league sources say would welcome the chance to play for the Warriors, he may ultimately prove to be the better fit. The 29-year-old is owed $45.9 million next season, and has a player option worth $48.9 million for the 2026-27 campaign.”
Additionally, the Warriors also reportedly viewed LaVine as “the safer option” between him and Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler (subscription required).
“LaVine is viewed by some within the organization as the safer option. At 29, he’s five and a half years younger and some $6 million cheaper than Butler this season, though his contract extends longer and he’s had some recent health concerns. There are risks all over the board.”
Warriors Unlikely to Trade for Jimmy Butler?
Now that LaVine is off the market, the fair assumption is that the Warriors will turn their attention to Butler. However, this does not seem like a real possibility anymore.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Butler has already told the Warriors he would not sign a contract extension with them. This has led to those talks stalling.
“Amid trade talks, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has communicated to the Golden State Warriors that he is not interested in signing a contract extension there, sources told ESPN.”
“Butler’s position dims the chances of a deal coming together, but the situation remains fluid, sources said. The Warriors have been in conversations with multiple teams about improving their roster leading up to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.”
The trade deadline is on Thursday. Both Butler and the Warriors are running out of time to fulfill their wishes. However, it seems that both sides will look elsewhere to do so.
Photo Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
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