Warriors Re-join Race For LeBron James
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors could acquire $101,355,998 Los Angeles Lakers superstar to form Big 3 with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler
LeBron James has long been linked to Golden State, in part because his rivalry against Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green blossomed into a bromance. James, a four-time NBA champion, could provide Golden State with much-needed frontcourt size and experience. However, age and injury concerns loom large. A potential lineup featuring James (39), Curry (37), Jimmy Butler (35), and Green (34) would raise questions about durability. James holds a $52.6 million player option, complicating any trade or signing. His commitment to playing alongside Luka Dončić could keep him in Los Angeles. While his arrival would electrify the Bay Area, logistical and financial challenges make this move far from guaranteed. For now, fans can only speculate—but the idea of LeBron in a Warriors jersey remains a fascinating possibility.
Golden State Warriors
face an uncertain future after a challenging playoff run.
is nearing the end of his of his illustrious career and so is Draymond Green. Even though they acquired
Jimmy Butler
earlier this year, their path to the Western Conference could look bleak given the injuries that these players succumb to.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Could a blockbuster move for a Lakers superstar change their fortunes next season?
(Disclaimer: As of right now, the information and analysis in this piece are preliminary. It’s important to keep in mind that even while the information is based on trustworthy sources, these are not official statements or confirmed activities. As the offseason goes on, readers are encouraged to wait for official updates and exercise caution when interpreting this analysis.)
LeBron James to the Golden State Warriors? NBA Insider Weighs In
recently suggested that the Golden State Warriors might pursue
forward LeBron James this offseason. James, a four-time NBA champion, could provide Golden State with much-needed frontcourt size and experience.
Kirschenbaum noted: “(LeBron) James has long been linked to Golden State, in part because his rivalry against Warriors stars
Stephen Curry
and Draymond Green (they’ve played each other in five playoff series, during which James has gone 2-3) eventually blossomed into a bromance.”
However, age and injury concerns loom large. A potential lineup featuring James (39), Curry (37), Jimmy Butler (35), and Draymond Green (34) would raise questions about durability.
Why the Move Makes Sense
According to
:
1. Championship Pedigree: James brings unmatched playoff experience and leadership.
2. Fit with Curry: Their contrasting skill sets could create an unstoppable offensive duo.
3. Lakers’ Struggles: With L.A. failing to advance past the first round, James may seek a new challenge.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Potential Roadblocks
– Injury Risks: James, Curry, and Butler all dealt with significant injuries this postseason.
– Contract Hurdles: James holds a $52.6 million player option, complicating any trade or signing.
– Lakers’ Plans: His commitment to playing alongside Luka Dončić could keep him in Los Angeles.
Playoff History Between LeBron James and Stephen Curry
Matchup
Result (LeBron’s Record)
NBA Finals Outcome
2015 Finals
Warriors win (0-1)
GSW 4-2 CLE
2016 Finals
Cavaliers win (1-1)
CLE 4-3 GSW
2017 Finals
Warriors win (1-2)
GSW 4-1 CLE
2018 Finals
Warriors win (1-3)
GSW 4-0 CLE
What’s Next for Golden State?
If the Warriors exit the playoffs early and seek a roster shakeup, James could emerge as a high-risk, high-reward target. While his arrival would electrify the Bay Area, logistical and financial challenges make this move far from guaranteed.
Also read:
For now, fans can only speculate—but the idea of LeBron in a Warriors jersey remains a fascinating possibility.
NBA free agency 2025: Live updates, news, rumors as Thunder extend Jalen Williams, Devin Booker deal breaks record
The Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly signed Jalen Williams to a max extension that could wind up being worth $287 million. LeBron James picked up his $52.6 million option for the 2025-26 season, stating his hopes of competing for a championship. James Harden will also stick in Los Angeles, signing a new deal with the Clippers. The Phoenix Suns traded superstar Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th pick (Khaman Maluach) in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The action continued Thursday, as the Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly signed Jalen Williams to a max extension that could wind up being worth $287 million. The move ensures the team will keep its young core together after winning its first championship. In addition to Williams, the Thunder have also signed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holgrem to massive, new deals this offseason.
Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
When free agency opened June 30, the NBA had officially set its salary cap at $154.647 million for the 2025-26 season. That’s up 10% from last season, which was the expected jump.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Grizzlies agreed on a five-year, $240 million max extension, and the Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. to the Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson. Dorian Finney-Smith agreed to a deal with the Rockets, Ty Jerome and the Grizzlies agreed on a three-year contract and the Mavericks struck a two-year deal with point guard D’Angelo Russell.
Elsewhere, LeBron James picked up his $52.6 million option for the 2025-26 season, stating his hopes of competing for a championship while the Lakers build for the future. James Harden will also stick in Los Angeles, signing a new deal with the Clippers. Julius Randle will also remain in Minnesota.
Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
All this comes after the Phoenix Suns traded superstar Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th pick (Khaman Maluach) in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Boston Celtics also began a refresh by trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trailblazers and Kristaps Porziņģis to the Atlanta Hawks.
Find all of this year’s free agency deals here.
Free-agent position rankings: Point guards | Shooting guards | Small Forwards | Power forwards | Centers
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as 2025-26 NBA free agency heats up:
Warriors Trade Pitch Nets LeBron & Bronny James, Clears Space for Kuminga
Golden State watched center Kevon Looney walk in free agency, joining the New Orleans Pelicans on two-year deal worth $16 million. The Warriors hope to replace Looney with Al Horford, most recently of the Boston Celtics, per a report from Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line on Monday, June 30. If the Warriors can lock Horford up, the next consideration is how to keep Jonathan Kuminga as an asset until at least the February trade deadline. If not, the Warriors could look to upgrade the roster further around the new Big 3 — and potentially Horford as well — via trading Kumeda ahead of the deadline. A trade between Los Angeles and Golden State, which involves LeBron James and Bronny James as well as Jimmy Butler, could work after LeBron James decided to opt into his $52.6 million contract.
Golden State just watched center Kevon Looney walk in free agency, joining the New Orleans Pelicans on two-year deal worth $16 million.
“Free agent center Kevon Looney has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN,” Charania posted to X. “Life Sports Agency CEO Todd Ramasar and the Pelicans reached a deal tonight for the three-time NBA champion who departs Golden State after 10 years.”
The Warriors hope to replace Looney with Al Horford, most recently of the Boston Celtics, per a report from Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line on Monday, June 30.
“Al Horford is a top target for Golden State, league sources tell
and me,” Stein posted to X.
Horford, even at 39 years old, is an upgrade over Looney — particularly given what the Warriors need offensively and defensively. Horford is a far rangier defender and a much better floor spacer. He finished last season averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and o.9 blocks per game and shot 36.3% from behind the 3-point arc on more than five attempts per night.
If the Warriors can lock Horford up, which appears to be the consensus among insiders as of Monday night, the next consideration is how to keep Jonathan Kuminga as an asset until at least the February trade deadline and improve the roster around Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in the interim.
A trade with the Lakers could theoretically accomplish both.
Trading for LeBron James, Bronny James Would Allow Warriors to Re-Sign Jonathan Kuminga
Kevin Pelton of ESPN explained on Monday how a trade between Los Angeles and Golden State, which involves LeBron James and Bronny James as well as Jimmy Butler, could work after LeBron James decided to opt into his $52.6 million contract in 2025-26 rather than hit free agency.
A sign-and-trade would be possible if James were to decline his option, but that possibility is complicated by the fact that a team receiving a player via sign-and-trade is automatically hard-capped at the lower luxury-tax apron, limiting its moves to build out the roster. An opt-in and trade isn’t subject to the same restrictions. For example, hypothetically the Golden State Warriors could now trade Jimmy Butler III (starting a max extension) to the Lakers for [LeBron] James and Bronny James and neither team would face a hard cap of any kind, allowing the Warriors to re-sign restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
Jimmy Butler’s Salary Matches Almost Perfectly With Those of LeBron James, Bronny James
Bronny James wouldn’t be a crucial piece to the deal, though his exceptional run in the G League with the South Bay Lakers during his rookie campaign in 2024-25 is indicative of a player who could eventually crack a rotation and become a significant contributor to an NBA team.
But in this case, his inclusion would be about making the money work and potentially keeping LeBron James happy if he wanted his son with him for the swan song of his career.
LeBron James’ contract coupled with Bronny James’ approximately $2 million in 2025 are close enough to Butler’s $54.1 million to make the money line up. Butler could join Luka Doncic in Los Angeles, while James could join his friends Curry and Green in Northern California.
Kuminga may have a bigger role in Butler’s absence and decide he’s happy in Golden State. If not, the Warriors could look to upgrade the roster further around the new Big 3 — and potentially Horford as well — via trading Kuminga ahead of the deadline.
Billionaire LeBron James’ 11-year run as NBA’s highest earner was ended by $155m-per-year superstar
LeBron James’ 11-year run as the NBA’s top annual earner came to an end. Curry earned an estimated $155.8 million from salaries and endorsements in 2024-25. James landed $133.7 million from a $48.2 million salary and $85 million in off-court incomes. Curry has amassed a net worth of around $180 million according to Celebrity NetWorth. The two-time MVP will earn $62.6 million in 2026-27 to further enhance his already eye-watering nine-figure net worth. The 39-year-old has earned more than $479 million at the summit of the NBA in his two decades at the top of the league. He has also built his own business portfolio away from powerhouse brands, which includes his own bourbon company, NUIT, which he has rocked up to during Team USA’s gold medal run with his ‘NUIT’ hoodie. The Golden State Warriors sharpshooter joined forces with apparel brand Under Armour in 2013.
On the same day LeBron James and eldest son Bronny made history by becoming the first father-son duo to play in The Association, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s 11-year run as the NBA’s top annual earner came to an end.
2 LeBron is no longer No. 1 but still finds himself in elite company
When salaries and endorsements are combined, Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Steph Curry had surpassed King James to become the NBA’s No.1 earner, according to Sportico.
The Splash Brother was No. 2 on the list the previous year, but flipped the script on his gold medal-winning Team USA teammate to take the outright top spot.
Four-time champion Curry earned an estimated $155.8 million from salaries and endorsements in 2024-25, while James landed $133.7 million from a $48.7 million salary and $85 million in off-court incomes.
Curry’s total earnings include a one-year, $55.8 million contract extension he signed with the Warriors this offseason — giving him the highest playing salary in the NBA for the eighth straight year — plus $100 million in endorsements.
It is the first time since the 2012-13 season that someone besides James has topped the rankings.
Before Curry, the late, great Kobe Bryant is the last player to finish ahead of LeBron on the list.
Chef Curry has proven himself to be a winner on and off the court during his 15-year NBA career.
In 2017, the Golden State superstar signed the NBA’s first $200 million contract before landing a second $215 million four-year contract extension in 2021.
In 2026-27, the two-time MVP will earn $62.6 million to further enhance his already eye-watering nine-figure net worth.
He’s amassed a net worth of around $180 million according to Celebrity NetWorth and, much like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, has become a serious force in the business world.
Top 10 highest-paid NBA players for 2024-25 season (salaries and endorsements combined) 1. Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors) – $155.8m 2. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) – $133.7m 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) – $103.8m 4. Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns) – $97.9m 5. Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks) – $66.8m 6. Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) – $59.4m 6. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) – $59.4m 8. Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) – $58.2m 9. Paul George (Philadelphia 76ers) – $57.7m 10. Bradley Beal (Phoenix Suns) – $57.7m
The 36-year-old joined forces with apparel brand Under Armour in 2013, the beginnings of a highly successful 11-year partnership which has seen the brand’s worth double from $14 billion to $28 billion over the last few years.
The all-time leader in 3-pointers quickly became the face of Under Armour and together they have released ten signature Curry shoes.
In November 2020, Under Armour announced the launch of Curry Brand — a standalone label — in a bid to compete with Nike’s Jordan Brand.
Curry became president of the Curry Brand last year after agreeing to a long term deal which also gave him $75 million in Under Armour shares.
Details of the extension were kept under close wraps. However, it has been described as a ‘$1 billion lifetime contract’ due to it extending way beyond his playing career.
On top of that, he’s made an estimated $50 million more in endorsements, working with the likes of 2K Sports, Callaway Golf, CarMax, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Panini, Rakuten, and Subway.
The ten-time All-Star has also continued to build his own business portfolio away from powerhouse brands, which includes his own production company and his own line of bourbon.
After lighting up Paris during Team USA’s gold medal run with his clutch performances and signature ‘night night’ celebration, Curry rocked a ‘NUIT. NUIT.’ hoodie which he has since trademarked.
Curry is well on his way to billionaire status but still has a way to go to catch LeBron.
In 2022, James became the NBA’s first active player to become a billionaire, according to Forbes.
I’m Celtics legend who won title with LeBron – there’s no way King James can ever surpass Michael Jordan
The 39-year-old has earned more than $479 million in his two decades at the summit of the NBA, while his business ventures off the court has seen him join MJ and Magic as the only members of NBA’s billionaire boys’ club.
A lifetime partnership with Nike, lucrative deals with PepsiCo. and Walmart, investment in entertainment and production company, SpringHill, and part-ownership of global sports, marketing, and real estate platform Fenway Sports Group have seen his personal fortune skyrocket.
As of 2025, ‘The King’ has a reported net worth of $1.2 billion, meaning he’s just as wealthy as actual royalty.
2 LeBron and Curry are two of the wealthiest basketball stars on the planet Credit: Getty
Who will be next?
Well, MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just signed the fifth biggest deal in world sports, worth $72.5 million per season.
That is $20 million more than the player option LeBron picked up for 2025-26.
SGA is tied down through 2031 on his $285 million package but at 26, will have the chance to add at least one mega extension.
He is also likely to see extra money from endorsements, which include Converse and Canada Goose, after inspiring the Oklahoma City Thunder to glory in the NBA Finals.
LeBron James Most Likely To Reject Player Option And Sign 2-Year, $105 Million Deal With Lakers
LeBron James has a $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign. He could opt out and become a free agent so he can re-sign a new, two-year deal that will extend into 2027. The young baller will be eligible for the NBA Draft in 2026, and the Lakers can try to set it up so that he joins his brother and dad in Los Angeles. It would be a historic moment for the league and an amazing achievement for LeBron, who has been around long enough to be teammates with his sons in the NBA. The Lakers could celebrate his every step on a season-long farewell tour, which would conveniently include an L.A.-based All-Star Game.
“He holds a $52.6 million player option for next season, and there could be some interest in simply picking it up. If he made clear this would be his last go-round, the Lakers could celebrate his every step on a season-long farewell tour, which would conveniently include an L.A.-based All-Star Game,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley. Maybe he’s not interested in putting that much finality to it, though. Not with his son, Bryce James, potentially becoming draft-eligible in 2026. LeBron lasting long enough to team up with Bronny James is incredible, but suiting up alongside both of his sons would certainly hold some appeal. Look for James to give himself a bit of wiggle room, then, by declining his option and re-signing with the Lakers on a two-year, roughly $105 million deal with a player option on the second season.”
Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
LeBron has achieved an unprecedented level of longevity in the NBA. For the past 22 years, he’s been consistently dominating the league with averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game on 50.6% shooting. After making history with his son, Bronny, this past season, James has already achieved his highest ambitions, and he’s got nothing left to prove at any level of play.
For years, James has been hinting about his potential retirement, and fans have been bracing for the inevitable moment when LeBron finally walks away. For now, however, LeBron is still active in the NBA, and it’s looking increasingly likely that he has not yet played his final season.
With a $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign, James will most likely opt out and become a free agent so he can re-sign a new, two-year deal that will extend into 2027. This way, LeBron can keep control over his NBA future while not losing a dime of his hard-earned money.
Most importantly, James can aspire to play with Bryce James, the youngest of his sons. The young baller will be eligible for the NBA Draft in 2026, and the Lakers can try to set it up so that he joins his brother and dad in Los Angeles. All he has to do is pick a college and put in the work so that he earns his spot, just like Bronny did on his way to the Lakers.
Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
It would be a historic moment for the league and an amazing achievement for LeBron, who has been around long enough to be teammates with his sons in the NBA. If the Lakers can also win a championship in the process, it would be the ultimate send-off to a historic NBA career.
Related: Lakers Unlikely To Re-Sign Two Players In 2025 Free Agency