Both the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers are far from being a serious threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder this spring. However, could a bold swap of superstars fix key problems and make them realistic NBA Finals contenders when the postseason arrives?
Heading into the 2025-26 season, there was a lot of hype surrounding the Warriors and Lakers when it comes to the chase for a championship. Sure, OKC wouldn’t be easy to topple, and their young core was even more experienced than when they won it all last year. However, the two California clubs had the resources and makeup to be a serious problem for the defending champions.
After making a blockbuster trade in February for future Hall of Famer Jimmy Butler, the Warriors went 23-8 and emerged as serious title contenders. Then a poorly timed hamstring injury to top star Steph Curry in the playoffs derailed it all. Nevertheless, it set up some big aspirations for this campaign.
LA also had huge expectations. They looked good in year one for head coach JJ Redick. Then they made one of the biggest trades of the century when they landed top-five talent Luka Doncic in a stunning move with the Dallas Mavericks. While they underperformed in the spring, the combo of Doncic and LeBron James had serious potential in the 2025-26 season.
Yet, as we enter the new year, both clubs are floundering and have been linked to various trade speculation.
Warriors and Lakers Enter 2026 as Pretenders Instead of Contenders
Heading into January, the Golden State Warriors have been one of the more notable disappointments in the NBA. Are they near the bottom of the standings and out of the playoff picture? No, but they have been inconsistent. Hovering around .500 all season, and if they continue to play this way in a tough Western Conference, it’s not a lock they even reach the playoffs.
As for the Lakers, at the start of December, they were viewed as one of the best teams in the NBA. Doncic was playing like an MVP. Austin Reaves was having a huge breakout season and is sure to be an All-Star this season. And when James finally returned after missing the first month, he seemed to fit in seamlessly. Then things started to fall apart over the last few weeks.
They finished December with a 5-7 record, and Redick has been complaining about their desire to really be a great team. They are a group with major issues, similar to Golden State, but making a huge change in a trade would be difficult. However, they may be perfectly set up to swap a pair of legends to help address notable issues they have.
Should the Warriors Swap Butler for James?
During the season, Warriors veterans Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green have publicly complained about the team’s defense. Yet, entering the new year, they are giving up the sixth fewest points in the league (113.1 PPG) and are third in defensive rating.
Defense really doesn’t seem like a problem. However, a team that was an unstoppable force on offense during their dynasty seasons is currently in the bottom 10 in the league in scoring (115.1 PPG) and offensive rating. Even at 41, James is still a very high-level offensive talent in multiple ways. He is simply better on that side of the ball than Butler and can do more to improve the games of other players on the roster.
However, at this point in his career, the six-time All-Defense player is a negative on defense, and that has been a problem for LA. They are 17th in the NBA in opponents’ points (117.3). More importantly, there are only four teams in the league with a worse defensive rating, including the lowly Washington Wizards. You know who could help with that while scoring similar points and shooting better from three? Jimmy Butler.
Jimmy Butler for LeBron James Trade Makes Sense
The Warriors reportedly looked into a trade for James last year, and rumors have long suggested he and Curry have an interest in playing together. While the team has been linked to a risky trade for injury-prone star Anthony Davis, it is unlikely without giving up Butler anyway. Why not move him for a player who could help improve the real problem, in a deal that also frees up a lot of payroll space after the season?
For the Lakers, they get the gritty, defensive-minded leader they badly need. As great as Doncic is, he isn’t a true leader and has bad habits he needs to be checked on. Butler can do that. If either team wants to be a title contender this spring, swapping the future Hall of Famers may be the best way to do it.
