{"id":111909,"date":"2024-12-13T11:50:23","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T16:50:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=111909"},"modified":"2024-12-13T11:50:23","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T16:50:23","slug":"can-the-warriors-land-lebron-james","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/13\/can-the-warriors-land-lebron-james\/","title":{"rendered":"Can the Warriors Land LeBron James?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For the last couple of days, there has been a lot of buzz around <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-13_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">LeBron James<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> potentially joining the Golden State Warriors. The <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/11\/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-update-trade-rumors\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">origin of these rumors<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> began in February earlier this year but didn&#8217;t see the light of day. At the time, reports stated that LBJ&#8217;s agent, Rich Paul, discouraged both sides from potentially exploring such an idea. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nonetheless, murmurs of King James and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/curryst01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-13_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Stephen Curry<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> joining forces in the Bay Area have returned, especially after their historic run in the <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/08\/10\/paris-olympics-steph-currys-heroics-in-the-gold-medal-game\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2024 Paris Olympics<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. The four-time Finals MVP\u00a0 signed a two-year $104M in the recent off-season, which included a no-trade clause and a player option in the second year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Can the Warriors Land LeBron James?<\/span><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">LeBron James has agreed to sign a two-year, $104M max deal to return to the Lakers, per <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/wojespn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@wojespn<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>The deal includes a player option and no trade clause \ud83d\udcdd <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3fK5IgP5I8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/3fK5IgP5I8<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BleacherReport\/status\/1808478164743762246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 3, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>N<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">othing is permanent <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">regarding<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the business side of things in the NBA. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Therefore, with rumors surfacing again, the question arises\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">of whether\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/29\/golden-state-warriors-looking-for-further-upgrades-as-training-camp-opens\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Joe Lacob and Co<\/a>. have enough to offer the Lakers in exchange for one of the greatest players ever to<\/span>\u00a0step on the hardwood in King James.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A trade that would require a Herculean effort to execute, given the financial constraints and limited draft capital on both sides. As per <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/contracts\/GSW.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Basketball Reference<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, the Dubs have a salary cap of $140M, with over $176M to be paid out to players this season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Now, switching gears to what the Warriors <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">have to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> offer for James, ranging from draft capital, players, and other cash considerations. According to <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/in\/nba\/news\/lebron-james-warriors-lakers-trade-rumors-stephen-curry\/9805bd92ce109e0494a25559\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Sporting News<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, The Dubs can offer 2026,2028, and 2030 first-round picks, apart from <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the likes of<\/span> <a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wiggian01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-13_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Andrew Wiggins<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/meltode01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-13_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">De&#8217;Anthony Melton<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/paytoga02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Gary Payto<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">n<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> II, and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuminjo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-13_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jonathan Kuminga<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Another critical aspect to consider is the possibility of Bronny being part of the deal with James.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Would the Lakers Be Willing to Co-sign on the Trade?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The entire crux of the situation boils down to <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the question of why the Purple and Gold would want to let go of the veteran superstar.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0The Lakers gave up a considerable portion of their draft picks in the trade involving <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/westbru01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-13_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Russell Westbrook<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> in 2022. Their next first-round pick is in 2026 via the Clippers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rob Pelinka and the front office do not have any potential future faces for the franchise post-LBJ era. Though they have a top-tier superstar in <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/davisan02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-13_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Anthony Davis<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, there is a need for<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> a few other pieces to make themselves a contending team for the years to come.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Talents such as Wiggins, Melton, and GP2 could give the Lakers young players to groom alongside their draft picks. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kuminga <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> real deal in this potential trade scenario, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">given<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0the growth he has shown in the last two years.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Also,\u00a0James&#8217; exit would clear a lot of cap space, allowing the Buss organization to sign a star player in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What Would Playing For the Warriors Mean For LeBron James&#8217; Legacy<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although playing alongside Curry would be nothing short of a storybook-like scenario, it could potentially hurt the twenty-time All-Star&#8217;s legacy. No matter how much Bron achieves in a Warriors uniform, Curry will always be the Bay Area&#8217;s favorite child.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Another reason for a possible dent in James&#8217; resume would be pairing up with an arch-rival to win his fifth ring. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> would <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">not only<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> severely hurt his GOAT case <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">but also<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> bring back memories of 2010&#8217;s &#8216;The Decision.&#8217;<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> In all likelihood, the 6&#8217;9&#8243; forward shall end his decorated career in Los Angeles.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For the last couple of days, there has been a lot of buzz around LeBron James potentially joining the Golden State Warriors. The origin of these rumors began in February earlier this year but didn&#8217;t see the light of day. At the time, reports stated that LBJ&#8217;s agent, Rich Paul, discouraged both sides from potentially [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5398,"featured_media":111957,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608,25,26],"tags":[212,49210,1593,2795,4297,38,48],"class_list":["post-111909","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","category-warriors","category-lakers","tag-andrew-wiggins","tag-bronny","tag-deanthony-melton","tag-gary-payton-ii","tag-jonathan-kuminga","tag-lebron-james","tag-stephen-curry"],"modified_by":"Jacob Stephens, Associate Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111909","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5398"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=111909"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111909\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":111960,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111909\/revisions\/111960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/111957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=111909"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=111909"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=111909"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}