Los Angeles Lakers fans knew that there was a possibility that the 2025-26 season would be LeBron James' last in purple and gold after the team didn't approach him about an extension. Will that make his potential departure sting any less? No, especially not if he leaves to sign with the Warriors in free agency, as Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported on Thursday that Golden State is "exploring the prospect" of bringing the superstar to the Bay (subscription required).
LeBron isn't the top name on the Warriors' wishlist, though, as that spot belongs to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Fischer wrote that the only way that Golden State would consider trading Jimmy Butler, who tore his ACL on Monday, is if the Bucks star becomes available. He also said they may consider trading Butler for LeBron, but that the team doesn't expect to "have a shot" at either player until the offseason.
It doesn't seem like Giannis will request a trade, with the deadline officially two weeks away. If he doesn't do so over the summer, the Warriors could shift their focus to signing LeBron, pairing him with Steph Curry in a move that would send shockwaves through the basketball world.
Warriors are 'exploring' signing Lakers star LeBron James this summer
If you can remember correctly, in 2024, the Warriors tried to trade for LeBron before the deadline, but ESPN reported that neither the Lakers nor LeBron were interested.
Golden State did so in an effort to win another title with Steph, a position the team is still in two years later. The Warriors thought they solved that issue by trading for Butler at last year's deadline, and although that decision played in their favor, at least at first, the forward will be out for a while. Time isn't on their side.
After LeBron exercised his player option over the summer, his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, released a statement saying the star wanted to compete for a title and that he "values a realistic chance of winning it all." It read as if he were going to request a trade from LA, but that didn't happen.
You can bet that LeBron is at least considering the possibility of teaming up with Steph in San Francisco. He would have to take a pay cut, but that could be something he's willing to do at this stage in his career, especially if it means playing alongside the best shooter in league history. It wouldn't be too far from his home base in Los Angeles, either.
Losing LeBron to any team would sting as is, but imagine what it'd be like to watch him end his career (and potentially make a run) with the Warriors. Yikes.