NBA Analyst Proposes Wild LeBron James to Warriors Trade

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With LeBron James expressing uncertainty about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers and NBA in general, the hypothetical trades have already begun. One of the latest came from NBA analyst Nick Wright, who proposed the framework for a LeBron to the Golden State Warriors trade:
Nick Wright proposes a trade between the Lakers and Warriors:
— Guru (@DrGuru_) May 24, 2023
LeBron James for Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody.
(via @FS1) pic.twitter.com/pzf0jC1KTW
For the Warriors, they would be parting ways with essentially their entire young core, while the Lakers would be re-tooling for their future. Golden State has shown a reluctance to pivot from their two-timeline plan, and a trade like this would be the sharpest turn possible from that current strategy.
With James only under contract for one more season, with a player option for the 2024-25 campaign, a trade for him this summer would only guarantee one year of his services. While a duo of LeBron James and Steph Curry would likely make the Warriors title favorites, it seems like something Golden State would have little interest in, especially considering their consistent unwillingness to turn away from this two-timeline approach.
While hypothetical trade proposals such as these are primarily for television ratings, and shouldn't be taken too seriously, there is a reason why the Warriors are near the top of every betting favorites list when it comes to LeBron's next potential team. Golden State has the assets, the opportunity to win now, and a clear need to upgrade their current roster. That said, this hypothetical trade feels unlikely.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.
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