His Golden State Warriors are one victory away from winning the NBA title over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third time in four years.
Up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, Golden State can close it out with a sweep Friday evening in Cleveland.
Once this championship becomes a reality, the NBA world’s focus will turn to what promises to be an eventful summer. This includes James himself set to hit free agency and potentially moving on from the Cavaliers.
Earlier in the year, ESPN’s Chris Haynes reported that James will at least consider signing with the Warriors. Then, earlier this week, Stephen A. Smith pretty much said the same thing.
If this highly unlikely scenario were to come to fruition, the Warriors would have to sell off some of their assets. That includes All-Stars Klay Thompson and/or Draymond Green.
For his part, Green knows full well what a James signing would do for his future in the Bay Area.
“I think if LeBron James is on the Golden State Warriors, there’s a high possibility that I won’t be here,” Green said Thursday, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “So it is what it is. It’s a business, right?”
Golden State already has $103 million committed to 2018-19 salaries. That includes a $32-plus million hold on Kevin Durant as he prepares to re-sign with the team in free agency. This is already $2 million over the cap.
In order for Golden State to make this work, both Durant and James would have to take less than the max. Meanwhile, the Warriors would also have to sell off the contracts of Thompson or Green as well as Andre Iguodala.
It simply makes no real sense for this to happen. Outside of the optics of James joining a team he can’t beat, the NBA world would be thrown for a loop with a super team adding the planet’s best player. It would certainly ruin James’ legacy.
Even then, we wouldn’t be surprised if the two sides met. Golden State would have an obligation to sit down with James should he show interest. You don’t ignore one of the greatest players in NBA history is he’s interested in your team as a free agent.