A report involving the Golden State Warriors and their interest in LeBron James shocked the NBA world on Wednesday.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne, Golden State reached out to both the Los Angeles Lakers’ brass and James’ representation to see if there was a way to work out a deal. Said blockbuster would have sent James to Northern California ahead of the February 8 NBA trade deadline.
The Lakers were not interested. Reportedly, James also was not interested in joining the Lakers’ in-state rivals. At least, during the season.
For the mediocre Warriors, this could have been one final attempt to keep their dynasty and championship window open. At the very least, that was the common perception.
We now have a bit more on the Warriors courtesy of Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Golden State will not stop being aggressive once the 2023-24 NBA season comes to a conclusion and summer around the Association hits.
“If LeBron James has wandering eyes in the summer, or if Kevin Durant does or if Paul George is going to be a free agent at this point, the Warriors will be in on that conversation. I think they want a legitimate star wing next to Steph Curry.”
Report on Golden State Warriors’ offseason plans
It’s no surprise that the Warriors plan on being aggressive. While they didn’t add anyone at the NBA trade deadline, it was not for a lack of activity. Hence, Golden State’s brass reaching out to the Lakers and James’ camp.
Related: Golden State Warriors standing in Sportsnaut’s NBA power rankings
Golden State Warriors to go big-game hunting this summer
After starting the season 21-25, Golden State finds itself in the midst of a five-game winning streak heading into Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said ahead of last week’s trade deadline that he believes this core group can still be special.
“The guys who are here, they are an incredibly accomplished group,” Kerr said last week. “We’ve got some exciting young players and we’ve got a good group. Every guy on our team has really overcome a lot, individually, this year. Taken out of the starting lineup, to injuries, young players have emerged through hard work and patience, and I enjoy coaching this team. It is a long haul, but I feel like this team could be something special.”
However, nothing we’ve seen from the Warriors since they won their last championship following the 2021-22 season is representative of this.
Klay Thompson continues to regress. Draymond Green’s multiple suspensions this season has created a dark cloud over the Warriors’ organization. Andrew Wiggins was the subject of trade rumors leading up to the deadline. Future Hall of Famer Chris Paul remains sidelined to injury.
The one constant here has been the aforementioned Curry. Even at 35 years old, he continues to go strong. The four-time NBA champion is averaging 28.0 points on 42% shooting from distance this season. He’s picked it up over the past nine games by averaging 33.1 points per. That included a 60-point outing in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks back on Feb. 3.
It makes perfect sense for the Warriors to go big-game hunting this coming offseason as a way to help take advantage of Curry’s twilight years.
As for the specifics, there is a lot to look at here.
James can technically opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer. Though, Golden State wouldn’t be able to sign him outright. It would have to work out a sign-and-trade with the Lakers. Paul George also has a player option. But that situation would be similar.
Meanwhile, there were reports earlier this season that Durant was already unhappy about the direction of the Suns.