In a surprising turn of events leading up to the NBA trade deadline, reports surfaced Wednesday morning suggesting that the Golden State Warriors made a bold attempt to acquire none other than Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. The potential deal, which would have undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the league, involved a direct inquiry from Warriors owner Joe Lacob to Lakers owner Jeannie Buss.
The rumor mill started buzzing when Lacob reached out to Buss, who made it clear that any consideration of a deal hinged on LeBron's willingness to part ways with the Lakers. The situation became intriguing given LeBron's social media activity, including a cryptic tweet featuring an hourglass, hinting at a sense of urgency for the struggling Lakers to make a significant move. LeBron's silence on his upcoming free agency further fueled speculation.
Buss redirected the Warriors to LeBron's agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who also represents Warriors' own Draymond Green. Interestingly, it was Green who initiated the idea of pursuing LeBron, even going so far as to personally lobby Paul for the move. The potential alliance of LeBron and Stephen Curry on the Warriors would have undoubtedly broken the internet, despite both players entering the later stages of their careers.
The Warriors explored various trade scenarios, potentially involving future first-round picks, along with players like Chris Paul and Andrew Wiggins to match salaries. Alternatively, they could have centered a deal around the likes of Klay Thompson, with the Lakers likely seeking promising young talent like Jonathan Kuminga in return.
Ultimately, LeBron's stance remained firm – he had no interest in leaving the Lakers. This revelation came directly from Rich Paul to Warriors' decision-makers, Joe Lacob and GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. A similar inquiry was made by Philadelphia 76ers President Daryl Morey, but both efforts were met with a resounding affirmation that LeBron was not available.
While the proposed deal didn't materialize, it adds an intriguing chapter to NBA trade history. As for Daryl Morey, known for his ambitious trade pursuits, he pivoted successfully by acquiring Buddy Hield for the Sixers. The possibility of LeBron James changing teams may still linger in the future, but for now, he remains a cornerstone of the Lakers, resisting the allure of joining forces with the Warriors or any other team.
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