Warriors’ Bid for LeBron James at Trade Deadline Rejected by Lakers, Sources Say
In a surprising turn of events, the Golden State Warriors made a bold move prior to the trade deadline, attempting to convince the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James to consider a trade that would pair him with longtime rival Stephen Curry. However, their bid was ultimately rejected by the Lakers and James, according to sources.
The Warriors, who have been struggling this season, were eager to present a package deal to the Lakers in hopes of rejuvenating their fading dynasty. Despite being 39 years old, James is still playing at an All-NBA level, which sparked the Warriors’ imagination about his ability to extend their championship window.
The idea was encouraged by Warriors star Draymond Green, who reached out to James’ agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, in an attempt to convince James to join him in Golden State. Green, who was instrumental in recruiting Kevin Durant to the Warriors in the past, saw this as a chance to make another significant addition to the team.
Golden State owner Joe Lacob also got involved in the discussions, contacting Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to inquire about James’ apparent frustration and whether it could be interpreted as a willingness to explore a trade. However, Buss made it clear that the Lakers had no desire to trade James and directed Lacob to seek an answer from James’ representation.
Buss has always prioritized keeping her star players content with the franchise, and she wanted James to know that he was valued and wanted in Los Angeles. She believed that referring the Warriors to James’ representation would give them a clear answer on his commitment to the Lakers.
The answer came resoundingly on the eve of the trade deadline. Paul informed Lacob and Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. that James had no interest in a trade and intended to remain a Laker. When Dunleavy reached out to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, he received the same response: the Lakers wanted to keep James.
This back-and-forth between the Warriors and Lakers is unique because it started at the ownership level and involved Buss referring the Warriors to James’ representation. It shows the level of respect and trust between the two organizations, even in the midst of trade discussions.
While the Warriors’ bid was unsuccessful this time, they may revisit their pursuit of James in the offseason. James holds a $51.4 million player option on his contract for the 2024-25 season, and if he returns to the Lakers, he is expected to decline that option and sign a new deal with Los Angeles. However, other teams, including the Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers, will likely try to convince James otherwise.
Both the Lakers and Warriors were relatively restrained at the trade deadline. The Lakers are hopeful that they can make significant roster upgrades in the offseason, as they will have three future first-round picks available for trades. The Warriors engaged in talks about various trade scenarios but ultimately only made a money-saving deal to move guard Cory Joseph.
As of now, both teams find themselves in unfamiliar territory, sitting at ninth and tenth place, respectively, in the Western Conference standings. However, with their star players committed and potential offseason moves on the horizon, both the Lakers and Warriors remain hopeful for a brighter future.
