For the second consecutive season, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly keeping an open mind about the possibility of acquiring LeBron James—if he ever decides to part ways with the Los Angeles Lakers. While such a move remains unlikely, the Warriors’ interest in the NBA icon has not waned, especially after James’ successful collaboration with Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr on Team USA this past summer.
On Wednesday’s episode of Get Up, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shed light on the Warriors’ continued fascination with the idea of pairing James alongside Curry and Draymond Green.
“The Warriors have dreamed of pairing LeBron with Steph Curry and Draymond Green since last year,” Windhorst said. “They’ve made an inquiry and it got shut down last February. That was before LeBron played with Steve Kerr and Steph Curry and won the gold medal over the summer. So, they will definitely monitor the situation. I don’t think they do anything without knowing this door is locked, but I would just say with LeBron, it’s up to him. He has a no-trade clause, and he has given no indication he wants the Lakers to do anything but upgrade the roster they’ve got—not that he wants to go anywhere.”
The Warriors’ Initial Inquiry
This isn’t the first time the Warriors have explored the possibility of adding James to their roster. In February, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported that the Warriors made a call to the Lakers to propose a trade package for the future Hall of Famer. However, the talks were short-lived, as neither James nor the Lakers showed any interest in pursuing a deal.
Warriors governor Joe Lacob reportedly initiated the inquiry at the encouragement of Draymond Green, a vocal advocate for teaming up with James. While the attempt fell flat, the idea has lingered, especially after fans witnessed James and Curry’s chemistry while playing together for Team USA during the Olympics.
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LeBron’s Calculated Ambiguity
Speculation about James potentially joining the Warriors gained traction after his comments during Lakers training camp in October. When asked about the possibility of playing with Curry in the NBA, James didn’t provide a definitive response, saying, “I have no idea.”
For a player as deliberate as James in his public statements, leaving the door slightly ajar rather than outright dismissing the idea added intrigue to the situation. Given his new two-year, $101.4 million contract with the Lakers, which includes a full no-trade clause, James holds complete control over his future.
Challenges in Los Angeles
James’ commitment to the Lakers has been unwavering since he joined the team in the summer of 2018, and his recent contract extension reinforced his intentions to finish his career in Los Angeles. However, the Lakers’ current struggles may test his patience.
The team has fallen to eighth in the Western Conference standings, losing seven of their last nine games. Despite James’ continued excellence on the court, the Lakers’ supporting cast has struggled to provide consistent help, raising questions about their ability to contend for a championship.
Warriors’ Current State
Meanwhile, the Warriors have their own challenges. While they boast an elite defense ranked fourth in the league, their offense has slipped to 14th.
Injuries and underperforming players have compounded their issues. Jonathan Kuminga, who showed promise during the 2023-24 season, has failed to meet expectations this year. The loss of De’Anthony Melton to an ACL injury has further depleted their depth, leaving Curry and Green to shoulder an increasingly heavy load.
Adding James to their lineup would instantly provide the Warriors with a significant offensive boost and ease the burden on their aging stars. His playmaking ability and scoring prowess would complement Golden State’s system and bolster their chances of another championship run.
The Road Ahead
Despite the Warriors’ interest, the odds of James or the Lakers seriously exploring a trade remain slim. James has made it clear that his focus is on improving the Lakers’ roster rather than seeking a new destination.
For now, the idea of LeBron James joining forces with Curry and Green remains speculative, but the Warriors’ persistent interest ensures the conversation won’t disappear entirely.
As the NBA season unfolds, both teams face pivotal moments that could influence their futures—and, perhaps, reignite discussions about a potential blockbuster move.
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