LeBron’s Current Standing with the Lakers
LeBron James is currently under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, having signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension in 2022.
However, there is a player option for the 2024-25 season, meaning LeBron could potentially opt out and become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024.
This season, LeBron and the Lakers have underperformed. They currently sit 9th in the Western Conference standings with a record of 27-32. While they’ve shown some positive signs lately, going 7-3 in their last 10 games, the Lakers face an uphill battle to even make the playoffs this year.
LeBron recently posted a cryptic image of an hourglass on social media before the trade deadline, sparking speculation about his future. When asked about his 2024-25 player option, LeBron gave a noncommittal answer, keeping the door open to potentially leaving the Lakers.
The Warriors’ Trade Deadline Pursuit of LeBron James
According to an ESPN report, the Golden State Warriors made an extraordinary attempt to trade for LeBron James prior to the 2024 trade deadline on February 9th.
The idea originated from Warriors forward Draymond Green, who is friends with LeBron and shares an agent with him. Green encouraged Warriors management to reach out to the Lakers about a potential trade.
When the Warriors contacted Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, she indicated the Lakers did not want to move James but would listen if he asked out. The Warriors then touched base with LeBron‘s agent Rich Paul, who told them LeBron is happy in Los Angeles and not looking for a trade.
Why the Warriors Went After LeBron
The Warriors likely had a few motivations for pursuing LeBron:
- They are struggling this season at 29-29, sitting 8th in the West, and could use another star player alongside Steph Curry.
- LeBron and Steph have developed a strong mutual respect in recent years after their legendary Finals battles.
- The Warriors will have some flexibility this summer and will be looking to shake up their roster.
What May Have Stopped the Trade
There are a few reasons why a LeBron-Warriors trade never materialized:
- LeBron expressed his desire to remain with the Lakers for now.
- The Warriors lacked the assets to put together a satisfactory trade package for the Lakers.
- Taking on LeBron‘s $97 million salary would have been difficult for the Warriors from a cap perspective.
Could LeBron Join the Warriors This Summer?
While a trade is off the table for now, there remains a possibility that LeBron could join the Warriors as a free agent this upcoming summer.
Why LeBron May Want to Leave the Lakers
Here are a few reasons why LeBron could still decide to opt out and leave the Lakers:
- If the Lakers continue to struggle and have an early playoff exit or miss the playoffs entirely, LeBron may want to go somewhere he can compete for titles in the final years of his career.
- LeBron has not won an NBA championship since 2020. Joining the Warriors gives him the best chance to get back to the Finals.
- There is uncertainty about the Lakers‘ future direction and their ability to build a contender before LeBron declines with age.
Why the Warriors Make Sense as a Landing Spot
If LeBron does decide to leave Los Angeles, several signs point to Golden State as a logical destination:
- LeBron likely wants to play with Curry and the Warriors‘ talent and culture fits really well with LeBron‘s game.
- The Warriors can create max cap space by letting players like Chris Paul and Andrew Wiggins go.
- LeBron has a great relationship with Draymond and respects what the Warriors have built.
The one major question is if LeBron would be willing to take less money to make a deal work. There have been rumors that LeBron wants to play with his son Bronny, and may take a discount to do so.
The Warriors do not have a first round pick in 2024 to try and draft Bronny.
How the Warriors Could Land LeBron
For the Warriors to seriously contend for LeBron, they may need to get creative with their finances. Here are some paths they could take:
- Convince LeBron to take a short-term discount deal with a player option for the second year.
- Engage in a sign-and-trade with the Lakers using Andrew Wiggins as salary ballast.
- Unlikely but possible – Trade for Bronny on draft night, then sign LeBron to a max contract.
How LeBron Would Fit with the Warriors
The pairing of Stephen Curry and LeBron James in the same starting lineup would be devastating for opponents. LeBron could take on a point forward role similar to Draymond Green, playing off Curry‘s shooting gravity and unlocking Golden State‘s offense to an even higher level.
There would certainly be questions about spacing and shooting at times, but Steve Kerr and his staff have proven they can build around any high-level talent. After some initial adjustments, the Warriors would have the most talented starting five in the league with Curry, Klay Thompson, LeBron, Andrew Wiggins, and a center like Kevon Looney.
On defense, the length and versatility of Wiggins and LeBron on the wings would be extremely disruptive. LeBron could match up with the opponent’s best scorer on a nightly basis, allowing Thompson and Wiggins to conserve energy for offense.
Overall, LeBron‘s well-rounded skill set and high basketball IQ makes him an almost seamless theoretical fit with Golden State‘s rapid ball movement, three point shooting and swarming defense.
Potential Drawbacks and Challenges
While tantalizing to ponder, there would also be some potential drawbacks if the Warriors landed LeBron:
- At age 39 (in 2024), LeBron‘s defense may start to decline even further.
- The Warriors‘ offensive system is very different than what LeBron is used to. There could be an adjustment period to get fully comfortable.
- Egos would have to be put aside, especially with Draymond Green also on the roster.
- The move could hamper the development of young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski if they lose minutes.
The Bottom Line
This upcoming 2024 offseason should be incredibly fascinating regarding the future of LeBron James. All signs point to him considering all options, including joining forces with Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
It’s extremely rare for rivals and future Hall of Famers in their mid to late 30s to team up. While far from a guarantee, the stars seem to be aligning for one last blockbuster alliance to close LeBron‘s legendary career.
Sources:
www.si.com/nba/warriors/news/lebron-james-reacts-to-warriors-exploring-trade-for-him
www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/feb/14/golden-state-warriors-lebron-james-trade-los-angeles-lakers-reports-nba-trade-deadline
www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-to-warriors-three-reasons-to-believe-dubs-could-be-in-mix-for-king-sized-stunner-in-free-agency/
