LeBron James trade rumors have been quickly shot down by the Los Angeles Lakers this season, but the Golden State Warriors have not yet given up hope of pairing James with their superstar point guard. In fact, even after being denied by both LeBron and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka this deadline, there is a sense that they will keep trying well into the summer to make the scenario a reality.
“You can’t blame the Warriors for trying, and I’ll tell you this,” said ESPN’s Zach Lowe,” I don’t think the Warriors are done trying because like Steph [Curry] said, why not pick up the phone and keep on trying?”
The Warriors have been mixed up in all kinds of trade rumors this season, and the latest one has drawn a connection to the Los Angeles Lakers. As 39-year-old LeBron James faces increasing pressure to win a championship, the Warriors believe they are the best place for him to win at this stage of his career.
Despite attempts to trade for the 4x champion, the Warriors failed to make it happen and both teams went past the deadline without a single trade. But as a potential free agent this summer, the Warriors will have another opportunity to sign LeBron in the near future and they are almost sure to keep making their pitch until the last possible moment.
LeBron, who is averaging 24.8 points, 7.8 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game on 52.0% shooting, is still among the top players in the league right now and a potential move to the Warriors, with Stephen Curry, could tip the balance of power in a significant way. At the very least, the Warriors would once again be the story of the NBA with LeBron, Steph, and head coach Steve Kerr having the chance to win a title together.
2024 Is A Major Offseason For The Golden State Warriors
It wasn’t long ago that the Warriors were champions of the NBA after beating the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. In just a few short years, a lot has changed for the iconic franchise and they are a shell of what they once were.
So far, Stephen Curry has been the only saving grace for the team and his continued excellence is putting major pressure on the front office to make some trades and maximize what’s left of Curry’s prime. At 26-26 on the season, Golden State is far from where they need to be and it will take some major adjustments for them to keep up with the rising competition in the West.
Unsurprisingly, word has already gotten out that the Warriors are seeking another star to put on the wing, with players like LeBron James, Paul George, and Kevin Durant at the top of their wish list. It remains to be seen if the Warriors have a chance at any of those guys, but this will be a turning point for them either way.
Klay Thompson, the team’s second-in-command, has taken a sharp decline on the court this season, and Draymond Green has lost all control of himself with regular antics that earned him a suspension. Without a consistent and reliable co-star for Curry, the Warriors may never be able to reach their potential… but with a guy like LeBron James on the roster, it could be all that Golden State needs to set up the next phase of their dynasty.
