Blockbuster Trade Idea To Give Steph Curry a Title Shot…Without the Golden State Warriors

The 2025-26 NBA trade deadline once loomed as a bastion of hope for the Golden State Warriors.

But it looks like a brick wall now with Jimmy Butler sidelined by a torn ACL, Jonathan Kuminga failing to generate interest (before suffering a bone bruise in his left knee) and the Dubs lacking obvious motivation to buy or sell.

Unless, of course, the Warriors are willing to consider the ultimate self-destruct option. Because if this four-banner-raising run has now run out of fuel, it might be time to stockpile supplies for the grueling road ahead—the one that Stephen Curry, who turns 38 in March and is unsigned after next season, won't be around to guide.

To be clear, there are zero indications Golden State is considering such a drastic direction change. Just like there's no evidence of Curry seeking out the nearest exit. If neither one can envision building a championship blueprint together, though, then some uncomfortable conversations could come on the docket sooner than later.

So, why not now? Because if the Warriors' plan for giving Curry another shot at playing meaningful basketball in April and May is waiting around for Butler, who turns 37 in September, to complete his ACL recovery in 10-to-12ish months and return to his pre-injury from right away, then that's not really a plan, but rather a fingers-crossed prayer.

This trade pitch, as painful as it would be, would give Golden State both a clear direction and perhaps enough assets to execute it. Not to mention, it could launch the Philadelphia 76ers into the heart of the title race, and grant one of the Sacramento Kings' clearest wishes for trade season.

With the macro-level vision set, let's dig into the details of how a deal could theoretically get done.

Full Trade Scenario

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Philadelphia 76ers receive: Stephen Curry, Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder

Golden State Warriors receive: Paul George, Malik Monk, V.J. Edgecombe, Jared McCain, Justin Edwards; First-round picks in 2028 (via LAC), 2030 and 2032; First-round pick swap in 2031; Second-round picks in 2027 (via GSW or PHO) and 2028 (via GSW)

Sacramento Kings receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, Andre Drummond; Second-round picks in 2030 (via PHO or POR) and 2030 (via WAS)

*All picks from Philadelphia

Why the Philadelphia 76ers Do It

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

The Eastern Conference lacks an obvious juggernaut. The ahead-of-schedule Detroit Pistons come closest to wearing that title, but the lack of a co-star Cade Cunningham and a general shooting shortage keep it from comfortably fitting.

The Sixers, then, might sense this is their opportunity to pounce. Especially with Tyrese Maxey, a first-time All-Star starter, zipping his way into the superstar ranks, and Joel Embiid, a former MVP, staying upright often enough—vigorously knocking on wood—to seemingly reclaim his superpowers (28.9 points on 52.2 percent shooting over his last 16 outings).

Still, they might need one more elite to gain control of the East, and it doesn't get much more elite than Curry, who is masterfully riding the aging curve like a seasoned surfer. Put Curry, a two-time scoring champ and all-time splasher, on the floor with Maxey and Embiid, and you've just spawned the hoops world's next offensive machine.

Defense would be a bit more challenging, but would any other three-headed monster produce like this? You could conservatively pencil them in for 75 points per outing, and Philly would still have three other double-digit scorers on the roster: Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Schröder, who'd help offset some of the creation lost by giving up McCain.

This roster would have a clear offensive slant to it, but in the modern NBA, defense doesn't always win championships. (Just ask the 2022-23 Denver Nuggets and their 15th-ranked defense.) Plus, Philly would hardly be drawing dead at that end. Maxey creates chaos, Oubre and Ellis are lanky disruptors on the perimeter and Embiid remains a serviceable anchor.

Maybe the Sixers feel they have enough to contend without this trade, but that's asking the young core to mature at a rapid rate—because who knows how much tread Embiid has left on the tires? Assuming he can maintain this season and next, though, this gives Philly two legitimate cracks at the title, and that feels like a big enough short-term upgrade to take on the long-term risks of this trade.

Why the Golden State Warriors Do It

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

While the Warriors wound up botching their two-timeline strategy, there's a reason that plan was put in place. They knew their time with Curry would eventually come to an end, so they tried to stockpile shelf-stable talent to ensure they'd have something of substance for their version of the post-apocalyptic era.

Well, Butler's untimely injury may have just ushered that in. Head coach Steve Kerr, who's on the final year of his contract, might have one foot out the door, and this aging core could be right behind him. All three of Curry, Butler and Draymond Green are unsigned past the 2026-27 season. Pulling the plug now would grant Golden State control of this chapter's ending while adding some ink to start penning what comes next.

Is this enough for Curry? Probably not as far as the fans and the franchise's valuation are concerned, but nothing can ever cross that threshold. What this deal could do, though, is throw out a slew of life rafts to (eventually) escape this clearly sinking ship.

Are the Dubs getting a certified star in return for their franchise icon? No—unless you're extending a courtesy hat-tip toward George's prime—but they'd at least have pathways toward eventually finding one. And what purpose would someone like LaMelo Ball or Ja Morant serve beyond selling some merch and perhaps pushing the win total just high enough to perennially miss out on the draft lottery's biggest prizes?

If the Bay Area is going to be Steph-free, then a hard reset is wholly necessary. An every-vet-must-go approach would surely follow with the Warriors scrambling to snag picks and prospects like they're snagging as many airborne bucks as they can collect in one of those money blowing machines.

Speaking of which, they'd get a great head-start on both fronts here. Edgecombe is an electric athlete and relentless defender, and he's already run fiery hot on the offensive end more than a few times. He has tier-one building block potential. And for those who feel McCain's true version is more of what he showed last season than the current campaign, he'd meet that criteria, too. Edwards doesn't have nearly the same upside, but he has pretty clear three-and-D potential.

As for the picks, the total takeaway would be three firsts, a first-round swap and two seconds. Fans who remember the returns for Mikal Bridges and Desmond Bane will say that's not enough for Curry, but it feels sufficient for a soon-to-be 38-year-old with only this season and next on his contract.

George and Monk would almost exclusively serve in money-matching capacities, but Golden State could hold out hope of finding an interested suitor at some point when their contracts are closer to expiring.

Why the Sacramento Kings Do It

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

While the Kings would technically be involved with this blockbuster, they'd fill the third-wheel role.

One team would nab a generational star. Another would tip-off a top-to-bottom rebuild with a handful of draft assets and two coveted prospects. Sacramento would essentially walk away with a couple of consolation prizes.

That might be all the Kings need to sign off on the swap, though. Remember, they're here to facilitate the move, not play its primary part. For helping to cross the T's and dot the I's, Sacramento would get a 23-year-old toolshed it clearly covets (Kuminga), a couple playable vets who might elicit interest at some point (Drummond and Hield) and a pair of second-round picks.

That's a solid takeaway for what Sacramento is giving up here: a 32-year-old who obviously isn't the answer at point guard (Schröder), an offense-first combo guard who's been a rumor-mill regular (Monk) and a 26-year-old defender seeing significantly fewer minutes this season than last (Ellis).

It's good business, or even great business for the staunchest Kuminga believers. Few teams are in more desperate need of young talent than the Kings—third-oldest roster, fourth-lowest winning percentage—and Kuminga might scratch that itch in a major way if he really is just a scenery change and role expansion away from figuring it out.