Back in early 2024, ESPN reported that the Golden State Warriors made an exploratory call about trading for LeBron James before the deadline. The idea was bold — pairing the league’s biggest star of his era with his long-time rival Stephen Curry. Draymond Green, represented by LeBron’s agent Rich Paul, even tried to help facilitate the move. It never materialized, but the interest wasn’t just smoke.
Fast-forward to this summer, and the embers are glowing again.
When Rich Paul told Sports Illustrated that “we do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career,” it raised eyebrows around the league. That’s not the language of a long-term commitment — that’s the kind of phrasing that gives everyone, especially a contender like Golden State, reason to make a few phone calls.
Why the Warriors Might Try Again
Golden State’s window is still cracked open, but not by much. The dynasty core is aging: Steph will turn 37 next March, Draymond is graying, and Jimmy Butler is just as old. A two-year push is probably all that’s left.
Adding LeBron to a mix that could include Steph, Jimmy Butler, and Al Horford would be the ultimate “one last ride” for a superteam of veterans who all know how to win in the playoffs. For Golden State, they’re already all-in on this plan, and for LeBron, it would be comfortable to join a team whose core players are his peers and contemporaries.
That core — Steph, LeBron, Butler, and Horford — would be tailor-made for playoff basketball. LeBron would slide into the power forward role, something he’s already done naturally in recent years. He could focus more on facilitating, rebounding, and selective scoring bursts, while Butler and Curry handle the perimeter creation. Horford provides spacing and defensive IQ — two things LeBron has always thrived alongside.
The Hypothetical Trade
Here’s how a deal could look in practical terms:
Warriors receive:
LeBron James
Lakers receive:
Draymond Green
Jonathan Kuminga
One more small contract under 5 million
Future first-round pick (2028 or 2030, top-5 protected)
I’m not even sure it would take draft capital. Yes, the Lakers would give up some flexibility to sign free agents, but there aren’t many high-impact players changing teams under these cap rules. Having movable or useful pieces would still hold value — especially with Luka Dončić needing teammates to compete. You can’t just let LeBron walk for nothing, and it’s unclear where they’d find a better expiring-money-and-picks package that makes sense.
A deal like this makes sense for both the present and the future. I’d want a Golden State pick if possible, given their age. Kuminga fits on Luka’s timeline — overrated by some, but still useful and on a reasonable contract. Draymond could be moved again or kept, as he’s still valuable relative to his salary.
The salaries work, and both teams could justify it:
The Warriors consolidate veterans for a star who still moves the needle.
The Lakers get a bridge piece in Kuminga — still only 23 with elite athletic upside — plus Draymond, who brings culture, defense, and a short-term mentor presence that fits the “win while retooling” balance.
Why It Makes Sense for Both Sides
From Golden State’s side, it’s about legacy and ratings as much as basketball. A Curry-LeBron pairing would instantly become the league’s top storyline — a rivalry transformed into an alliance. It’s the kind of thing the NBA hasn’t seen since Magic and Bird retired.
From LeBron’s side, the move could serve as a soft exit ramp from Los Angeles if the Lakers stall out again. Staying in California, playing with a generational shooter like Curry, and chasing one more Finals run with like-minded veterans makes sense for a 40-year-old chasing a sixth ring. He wouldn’t have to carry 30% usage anymore — he could operate as the Warriors’ de facto 4, surrounded by elite IQ and shooting. If it didn’t work out, he’d be a free agent next year anyway, and the Warriors’ window would be nearly closed by then regardless.
Secondary scorer and elite defender; veteran leadership.
PF
LeBron James
TBD (new contract or trade salary)
Facilitates, rebounds, and creates for teammates.
C
Al Horford
$5,685,000
Veteran anchor; screens, spacing, rim protection.
Bench / Rotation
Role
Player
Salary
Notes
Wing / 6th man
Buddy Hield
$9,219,512
Floor spacing and perimeter shooting.
Guard
Seth Curry
$2,296,274
Backup ball-handler and sharpshooter.
Wing / Youth
Brandin Podziemski
$3,687,960
High-IQ movement; secondary playmaker.
Guard / Perimeter Defense
De’Anthony Melton
$3,080,921
Defense and hustle; fills multiple guard roles.
Forward / Stretch Big
Trayce Jackson-Davis
$2,221,677
Energy, rim runs, and frontcourt depth.
Wing / Defense
Gary Payton II
$2,296,274
Perimeter defense, steals, and hustle.
Big / Utility
Marques Bolden
$2,296,274
Backup center for minutes off Horford.
Wing / Depth
Gui Santos
$2,221,677
Young wing depth; developmental minutes.
Forward / Depth
Taevion Kinsey
$2,048,494
Bench scoring and versatility.
Big / Depth
Quinten Post
$1,955,377
Stretch big; backup frontcourt minutes.
Rotation Overview
LeBron at PF anchors the frontcourt while Curry and Moody handle backcourt creation.
Butler slides to SF, giving defensive versatility and secondary scoring.
Horford and Bolden provide veteran stability at center.
The bench mixes shooting (Hield, Seth Curry), youth (Podziemski, Jackson-Davis, Santos, Kinsey), and defensive specialists (GP2, Melton) to balance the older starters.
This setup maximizes LeBron’s playmaking and preserves spacing, while giving the Warriors flexibility in small-ball and switch-heavy lineups.
The Fit on the Floor
Draymond’s departure would hurt from a legacy standpoint — and defensively as well — but Butler and Horford are still high-level defenders, and LeBron’s IQ can cover ground when he’s engaged, especially in the playoffs.
On offense, the passing combinations between LeBron, Curry, and Horford would be ridiculous — three of the best decision-makers of their generation.
LeBron at power forward gives the Warriors positional balance and lets him conserve energy. He doesn’t need to chase guards anymore; his game at this point is about timing, angles, and orchestration. Would they be a serious contender to the Thunder, probably not, but I don’t think any team projects to be. The best you can do is give yourself a chance and perhaps unfortunately an injury happens and then you are as positioned as anyone else in the NBA to win a title with LeBron.
Legacy Implications
There’s a symmetry here that would be hard to ignore. LeBron once clashed with the Warriors at the height of their powers; now, they’d be uniting to squeeze one last title out of their twilight years.
It would also be a fascinating image shift for LeBron — from the Lakers’ fading star to the Warriors’ veteran chess piece. It’s Durant in reverse: joining the team that once beat him, but at the end of his career instead of his prime. The scrutiny would be there, but at this stage, LeBron might care more about one last parade than public perception.
If Not The Lakers or Golden State, Where Could LeBron Go?
If LeBron does indeed want out of Los Angeles, the realistic options are surprisingly limited. At this stage of his career, his choices aren’t just about basketball; they’re about lifestyle, legacy, and timing. Let’s break down the most plausible destinations.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers — A Fitting, But Complicated Return
The Cavaliers have always been a sentimental option. Ending his career where he first cemented his legacy, potentially on a contending Eastern team, has undeniable narrative appeal. Pairing LeBron with a core of Jarrett Allen and De’Andre Hunter (or similar complementary pieces) could create a legitimate playoff team in the East.
From Cleveland’s perspective, however, a trade is tricky. They could wait to sign him in free agency next year, likely at a lower salary and with a discount for returning home — a far more cost-effective route than giving up young assets in a trade. While it’s emotionally satisfying, moving core players for a potentially short-term rental like LeBron might not make organizational sense unless the Cavaliers can construct a trade around expendable pieces and draft flexibility.
In other words: a Cavs trade is possible, but far less likely than a free-agent signing, unless LeBron offers a major discount to return.
2. Los Angeles Clippers — Convenience Meets Firepower
The Clippers arguably make the most sense logistically. Money is never an issue, and a move across town avoids disrupting LeBron’s family life. Pairing him with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard (if still on the roster), and potential role players could create another contender in the West.
The main caveat is the shadow of potential NBA punishments or controversies hanging over the team — though LeBron’s tenure might be too short for those issues to fully materialize as obstacles.
From a trade perspective, the Clippers could make it work with players like Bogdan Bogdanović, John Collins, and Dejounte Murray — the contracts align almost perfectly. This makes the Clippers a highly feasible short-term destination, giving LeBron a chance to chase another title without leaving Los Angeles.
3. New York Knicks — East Coast Option, Limited Flexibility
New York is the only plausible Eastern destination that isn’t Cleveland. A move here could satisfy both market appeal and legacy considerations. However, the Knicks’ key players — Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, and Mitchell Robinson — aren’t easily disposable. Unlike the Clippers, New York doesn’t have the same luxury in movable contracts to engineer a seamless trade.
Free agency is likely the only realistic pathway to the Knicks, and it would require LeBron to take a significant discount and buy into their short-term rebuild or playoff contention plan. The Knicks’ appeal is more marketing and legacy-driven than basketball efficiency.
4. Miami Heat — Familiar Ground, Limited Appeal
Miami could theoretically make sense given LeBron’s history with the franchise, but this option is far less attractive. There’s little roster flexibility, and the Heat’s championship window is already somewhat defined. LeBron joining a team he’s been on before might feel redundant, and from a long-term career perspective, it’s hard to envision a bridge scenario that works for both sides.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, if LeBron wants out of the Lakers, there are only a handful of realistic scenarios:
Golden State — willing to move expiring contracts and younger assets to bring in a superstar who fits their championship window.
Cleveland — sentimental, but likely better as a free-agent signing rather than a trade due to asset constraints.
Los Angeles Clippers — convenient, financially flexible, and logistically ideal, with a clear path via Bogdanović, Collins, and Murray.
New York Knicks — possible only via free agency, with sacrifices required from LeBron and limited roster flexibility.
Miami Heat — familiar, but unlikely to provide a meaningful bridge or improvement at this stage.
At 40 years old, LeBron’s decisions are increasingly driven by legacy, lifestyle, and immediate contention. The Lakers’ stalemate or decline could catalyze a move, but realistically, only a few teams have the money, flexibility, and roster structure to accommodate him without mortgaging the future.
Golden State, conveniently, is one of the very few teams where a trade actually makes sense right now, combining roster fit, salary alignment, and a genuine championship window — the same window LeBron has spent his career chasing.
The Bottom Line
If Rich Paul’s words were even slightly intentional, this isn’t over. The Warriors have been here before — they asked once, were told no, and might just ask again.
The idea of LeBron, Steph, Butler, and Horford in the same locker room feels like something out of NBA 2K, but sometimes the most outrageous ideas are the ones that end up defining an era.
And for LeBron and the Warriors, that era is closing fast.
