The Golden State Warriors are reportedly interested in trading for Washington Wizards center Anthony Davis and signing LeBron James in free agency.
According to NBA insider Kevin O'Connor, the Dubs want to trade Jimmy Butler for Davis to convince James to take his talents to the Bay Area and team up with Stephen Curry .
The bombshell report instantly drew an epic reaction from seven-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson .
O'Connor reported that trading for Davis could be the key to "lure" James to Golden State. Butler, who is owed $56.8 million next season, can be the salary match for Davis, who is in the books for $58.5 million.
To grease the talks of the potential trade, O'Connor mentioned that Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr . "would also have to include draft capital."
On the "Nightcap" podcast on Sunday, NFL legend Shannon Sharpe asked Joe Johnson to comment on that story.
The former NBA journeyman responded :
"Hey, look, don't threaten me with no good time, now. I like a good time. … I know they'll be a little older, I would love to see that. In the Western Conference? Bron (James), Steph (Curry), AD (Davis), Draymond (Green), man, them folk be over there clowning."
Golden State's reported goal of constructing what O'Connor wrote would be a "roster of legends" will not be easy.
The NBA insider noted that "Washington has signaled an intention to keep Davis after re-signing Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million extension."
O'Connor added that Wizards general manager Will Dawkins, on draft night, said that they want Davis on the team.
Another potential roadblock in bringing Davis to San Francisco is the 10-time All-Star's contract situation. O'Connor wrote:
"Davis is on track to become eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension on Aug. 6. If Davis were traded, his extension clock would reset. Under the collective bargaining agreement, he would be ineligible to sign that full max deal until six months after the new trade becomes official."
The Wizards have also signaled their intention to end a five-year playoff drought by re-signing Young and drafting AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Exchanging Davis for the injured Butler (right ACL) does not fit into that goal.
"Nightcap" co-host Chad Johnson pushed back, insisting that a "bunch of old guys" would not guarantee the Warriors to even come out of the West, citing Davis' injury history, a potential factor that could derail the Warriors' best-laid plans.
Joe Johnson eventually took back his comments, saying he couldn't deal with Chad Johnson for spoiling the excitement. The former Brooklyn Nets star concluded he'd rather have the Wizards keep the Davis-Young-Dybantsa core.
The Warriors, who finished last season with a 37-45 record and lost in the play-in tournament, continue to look for ways to give the 38-year-old Curry a chance to compete for another championship.
To that point, Johnson and Sharpe might still see Davis and James end up in Golden State to help the greatest shooter in NBA history win another Larry O'Brien Trophy.
