Reason for Failed LeBron James to Warriors Trade Revealed

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In a recent article from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne, it was revealed that the Golden State Warriors checked on the availability of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James prior to the NBA trade deadline. According to ESPN, the Warriors were “eager” to present a possible trade package to the Lakers, but neither the team nor James himself were open to the idea.
Explaining this, ESPN wrote, “If the Lakers ever wanted a temperature check on James' commitment, here was his chance. In the end, the answer was returned resoundingly on the eve of the trade deadline: Paul told Lacob and Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., that James had no interest in a trade and wanted to remain a Laker, sources said. When Dunleavy reached out to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka in those pretrade deadline hours, Dunleavy had been told the same: The Lakers wanted to keep James, sources said.”
The reason for this failed trade attempt was simple: neither James nor the Lakers were open to it, according to ESPN. Despite James’ public frustration with how this season has gone for the Lakers, it seems he has remained committed to fulfilling his contract in Los Angeles, even amid their ups and downs.
For Golden State, it was worth a try to see just how frustrated James was, and if they could pair him with Steph Curry. According to ESPN, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss directed Golden State to James’ agency, where they were informed that the Lakers star wanted to stay in Los Angeles.
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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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