During a secret 24-hour window before Thursday’s trade deadline that involved negotiations between owners, the Golden State Warriors made an unsuccessful bid to convince the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James to consider a deal that would reunite him with longtime rival Stephen.
Curry, sources told ESPN.The Warriors wanted a package deal with LA, but the Lakers and James didn’t want to explore the potential. Even at the age of 39, James continues to play at an All-NBA level that confused the Warriors and #039; an imagination of his ability to extend the window of a franchise and a dying dynasty.
Armed with encouragement from Warriors star Draymond Green, Golden State owner Joe Lacob reached out to Laker owner Jeanie Buss to ask if Jamesand#039; Sources said the apparent public frustration could be interpreted as an openness to discuss trade.Buss told Lacob that the Lakers don’t want to trade James, but he needs to find an answer to Jamesand#039; the state of mind of his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, sources said.
As an owner, Buss operated with the mindset that he wanted his star players to be happy with the franchise, and that made him wonder if he could turn the leadership of the Warriors over to Jamesand#039; front office, sources said.If the Lakers ever wanted to take James’ temperature engagement, this is his chance. Finally, the answer came back loudly before the trade deadline: Paul told Lacob and Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. that James was not interested in a trade and wanted to remain a Laker, sources said. When Dunleavy contacted Lakers GM Rob Pelinka in the hours before the trade, Dunleavy was told the same thing
The Lakers wanted to keep James, sources said.Earlier Wednesday, Green, who is also represented by Paul at Klutch, sent Paul a text message asking for help convincing James to join Golden State, sources said. Green was once a lead recruiter for Kevin Durantand#039; in signing Golden State in free agency, but it was a much different, much more pointless 11th-hour chase..
Dunleavy was the second team executive to speak with Pelinka about a possible James trade, sources said. after seeing Jamesand#039; A cryptic social media post on the hourglass a week before the trade deadline, Philadelphia 76ers director of basketball operations Daryl Morey called Pelinka to inquire about a James trade and was immediately told James was not available.
In fact, Pelinka responded by asking Morey if Joel Embiid was available, sources said. And that was the end of this short conversation. Such bold trade calls are historically standard practice for Morey, who also called the Phoenix Suns to inquire about a Durant trade before the deadline, sources said. When Morey said no, he also asked about the availability of Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Not surprisingly, those were also rejected, sources said.
The Warriors and Lakersand#039; The back-and-forth is different because it started at the possession level and involved Buss forwarding the Warriors to Jamesand#039; representation for James’ own inspection and#039; commitment to the Lakers.The Warriors could return to scoring in the offseason, as James’ contract includes a $51.4 million play option through 2024-25.
If James returns to the Lakers, he will likely do so by opting out and signing a new contract with LA that would give him an annual raise. James remains focused on returning to the Lakers in the offseason, sources told ESPN, but there are undoubtedly many of those same suitors — including Golden State and Philadelphia — who want to convince James otherwise.The Lakers and Warriors games were subdued at the trade deadline.
Sources said the Lakers hope to significantly overhaul the roster in the offseason with three future first-round picks to use in trades.The Warriors had real discussions about several trade scenarios, including Chicago and Utah and#039 Alex Caruso and Utah and#039 Kelly Olynyk, but only made a money-saving trade to move guard Cory Joseph.
Golden State faces the option of unrestricted free agency for four-time point guard Klay Thompson.The Lakers and Warriors are ranked ninth and tenth in the Western Conference, respectively..
