Warriors predicted to make NBA-altering sign-and-trade for $101 million Lakers 22-time All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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One could argue that the Golden State Warriors are under more pressure to make eye-popping offseason roster moves than any other franchise.
The Dubs are dangerously close to wasting the final years of Stephen Curry’s career, making it a requirement for the franchise to walk away from the summer with a championship-contending franchise.
In an NBA-altering sign-and-trade idea, Golden State would land the Los Angeles Lakers’ 22-time All-Star forward.
“LeBron James failed to announce his plans for the future within minutes of the Los Angeles Lakers getting swept by the Thunder,” Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale wrote Thursday. “The nerve of him. We can at least safely assume that retirement isn’t one of the options he is considering.”
“He will want—and deserves—a retirement tour. Regardless of whether next year is LeBron’s last, it won’t be coming with the Lakers. Neither side has publicly ruled out a return, but the shifting timeline dynamics post-Luka Dončić trade led to a meaningful role shift for the four-time MVP.”
“Sign-and-trade scenarios could be LeBron’s only path to leaving L.A. Acquiring LeBron via sign-and-trade hard-caps teams at the first apron, which excludes the Denvers (Nuggets), Clevelands (Cavaliers), and New Yorks (Knicks) of the world. The Golden State Warriors could make it work. Bonus Prediction: LeBron will end up with the Warriors via sign-and-trade.”
James is among the most alluring free agent options for the Warriors this summer. At age 41, James is still capable of being a difference-making asset on the offensive end of the floor due to his dynamic downhill driving ability, advanced stationary/on the move passing chops, and next-level strength around the rim
James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds as the Lakers’ No. 3 scoring option, shooting 51.5% from the field and 31.7% from long range. An aging James-Curry duo probably wouldn’t scare most opponents, but their presence alone would make them a formidable Western Conference duo in 2026-27.
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