The Warriors haven’t given up hope of trading for LeBron James and teaming him with Stephen Curry, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (subscription required). Sources tell Fischer that Golden State has reached out to the Lakers on multiple occasions over the past 18 months to work out a deal, but has come away empty.
James and Curry played together at the Paris Olympics last August, combining their talents to capture a gold medal for Team USA. Coach Steve Kerr was in charge of that team, and the Warriors would like to create that same dynamic in the NBA.
Even though there are persistent rumors that James might be headed elsewhere after picking up his $52.6MM player option in June, Fischer points out that it would be tough for Golden State to put together a trade proposal that matches salaries without tearing apart the core of the roster. He adds that also holds true if Giannis Antetokounmpo were to ask out of Milwaukee.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Augustas Marciulionis chose the Lakers over the Bucks for his first NBA opportunity, according to BasketNews. The son of former NBA player Sarunas Marciulionis signed an Exhibit 10 contract in July and will be in L.A.’s training camp next month. “The attention was similar from both teams,” he said. “But in Los Angeles, there were more people my agent and I knew and trusted. We understood the situation better there. For some reason, L.A. just felt like the right choice. Still, it wasn’t easy because I don’t know that much about the NBA environment yet. But we thought this was the best place for me.” The 23-year-old point guard, who played at St. Mary’s, was dealing with a broken foot during the pre-draft process.
- Devin Booker is expected to carry more of the Suns‘ offensive load with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal gone, so Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic examines whether he can average 30 points per game. Booker scored 25.6 PPG last season with uncharacteristically low shooting numbers, so Rankin believes 30 PPG is within reach if he takes at least 20 shots per night, goes to the free throw line more often, improves his three-point efficiency and gets more easy baskets in new head coach Jordan Ott’s offense.
- In a separate story, Rankin states that trust was behind Ott’s decision to hire Sean Dwyer as an assistant coach after they worked together at Michigan State.
It would NOT be tough for the Warriors to put together a trade proposal for LeBron without tearing out the core roster of the roster.
The trade is obvious, and it was part of why they acquired Butler:
Lakers trade LeBron and Bronny to the Warriors for Butler and 1-2 Warriors’ first rounders.
Lakers punt their ‘26 cap space to ‘27, when they plan to sign either Jokic or Giannis.
Not saying this will happen, just saying that the path to do it mid-season is very obvious – it’s just a matter of all parties agreeing.
LeBron and Butler play the same position and occupy the same salary slot.
They didn’t trade for Butler to trade for LeBron. That is completely silly. Makes no sense at all. Why would they trade their 1st rounders that they are going to need.
Yeah why on earth would a team of old guys in win-now mode wanna acquire the greatest player of all time.
It becomes an even easier decision with Giannis since he is so much younger. Like of course switching out Butler and lots of picks for Giannis makes the team way better, and you do it in a heart beat.
Agree, it’s an easy decision to trade away three firsts for Giannis because he’s only 30 years old.
The great thing about Butler is that he is making the same as most max stars so he can be matching without losing half the roster. He also probably has positive value after how it went in GSW until he broke his butt. So you can get some additional draft assets sending him to a 3rd team that needs him and just have Butler and a boatload of picks going out for Giannis.
Oh and its the 4 1sts 3 swaps plus any additional picks you get for Butler in the offer for Giannis. You arent getting out the door with 3 picks. The ask is every pick you have and can get.
Really…..I’d laugh so hard. Whens the season start, lols.
The clown show ………. Yeah every team wants a 41 yr old Bron one day. Not even Cleveland would trade for Bron lmao. Bron will get bought out by TD. You can just wait for it. I can’t believe they can write this.