The Golden State Warriors are expected to be busy this offseason in hopes of putting a strong roster around franchise star Stephen Curry to make one more title push, and their summer plans could very well include targeting LeBron James in free agency.
The Warriors tried to trade for James at a previous deadline, and as his time with the Los Angeles Lakers looks to be coming to an end, the Bay Area team has once again been linked to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in hopes of pairing him with Curry in the final chapter of the two Hall of Fame players’ careers.
Speaking on a radio show in San Francisco, league insider Marc Spears recently made comments that only heat up the James links to Golden State.
LeBron James Warriors Free Agency Rumors
GettyThe Golden State Warriors could trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and add LeBron James this summer amid his uncertain Los Angeles Lakers future.
While there have already been rumors about the Warriors signing the 41-year-old this summer, Spears said Curry expects that the team will target players this summer to give him and Draymond Green one more shot at competing for a championship.
The insider said that, behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have also been linked to James this offseason, the Warriors are number two in line to sign the oldest player in the league as a free agent.
“Steph knows that they’re gonna try to do everything in their power to get somebody big,” Spears said on the Willard and Dibs radio show. “I think if LeBron James is a free agent, I don’t see him being in a Lakers uniform…I would guess that Cleveland is his number one option, and Golden State would likely be right behind. That’s just scuttlebutt from what I hear from people.”
– @MarcJSpears on the Warriors (via @WillardAndDibs)
Both James and Curry have expressed interest in playing with each other in the past, and while they did team up at the 2024 Paris Olympics, recent rumors about the former going to the Warriors this summer have only increased over the past few months as his Lakers tenure looks to be coming to an end.
To make the addition of the 41-year-old work, it would likely require James signing either a minimum or mid-level contract with the Warriors. However, if the four-time Finals MVP is looking to make one last championship push, closing out his career in Golden State with Curry can certainly be in the cards this offseason.
How Realistic Is LeBron To Golden State This Summer?
GettyLeBron James, Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Though James has yet to comment about his plans as a free agent this summer, there is an expectation that the Warriors, Cavaliers, and New York Knicks will be in the race to land the 22-time All-Star this offseason.
While Knicks rumors have been minimal, and that team has a lot more restrictions based on the moves they can make, both Golden State and Cleveland should be considered the two favorites to sign him.
Writing for BlueManHoop.com, Peter O’Keefe believes that with the added desperation of the Warriors to put one more title-contending team around Curry, they should be a major player in the expected ‘LeBron James free agency sweepstakes‘ in the next few months.
“Golden State have the attraction of Stephen Curry which will be key in the front office acquiring any star player this offseason,” he wrote. “They also have the element of desperation — they actually need James in a way Cleveland don’t neccessarily, and there’s little doubt the 41-year-old will want to play a major role even if it is his farewell season.”
Additionally, writing for LakeShowLife.com, Jordanna Clark believes the Northern California team can’t be ruled out as a landing spot until news is confirmed of James’ next team.
“There are pros from LeBron’s perspective about making the switch to Golden State, with the biggest, of course, being that it’d allow him to team up with Steph Curry outside of the Olympics,” she wrote. “If LeBron makes it known he no longer wants to be with the Lakers, then you can expect the Warriors to reach out.”
There was also a recent report that both Curry and Green will heavily recruit James to Golden State this summer.
“Golden State Warriors legends Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will heavily recruit LeBron James this offseason once free agency starts, sources told Lakers Daily,” Ashish Mathur wrote. “James signing with the Warriors can’t be discounted due to his relationship with Curry and Green.”
There will likely be a lot of conversations this summer between Curry and the Warriors, along with him, Green, and James, about teaming up, if those talks haven’t happened already.
LeBron James To Warriors Links Heat Up Amid Curry, Draymond Recruitment