The Golden State Warriors are moving to alternate plans after free-agent forward LeBron James agreed to join the Philadelphia 76ers, according to reporting from NBC Sports Bay Area.
Team insiders told reporter Monte Poole that the front office never counted on landing James, yet his decision still stings. Poole noted that while the four-time MVP alone would not have guaranteed title contention, his presence would have offered Golden State its best opportunity to construct a roster widely regarded as competitive.
The franchise has chased multiple marquee names in recent off-seasons with limited success. League sources said the Warriors were already examining trade scenarios this summer and will keep that strategy in play following James’s move to Philadelphia.
Rough Off-Season Assessment
Columnist Dalton Johnson labeled Golden State “the biggest loser” of the LeBron sweepstakes, arguing the club required a major jolt after an injury-plagued 37-win campaign that ended outside the playoffs for the fourth time in seven years. Aside from drafting forward Yaxel Lendeborg 11th overall, the roster remains largely unchanged and aging, Johnson wrote.
Injury and Contract Notes
ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported on NBA Today that star forward Jimmy Butler is a little more than five months removed from ACL surgery and has “turned the corner” in rehabilitation, though he still has not been cleared for unrestricted sprinting.
In the same appearance, Slater said forward Draymond Green is expected to re-sign with Golden State on a one-year, $27.7 million agreement if James is not added. The figure matches the player option Green previously declined and would preserve the club’s future cap flexibility.
Lendeborg Could Start as a Rookie
During Thursday’s edition of NBA Today, Slater relayed that Summer League MVP Yaxel Lendeborg spoke with him and said head coach Steve Kerr mentioned the possibility of earning a starting role this fall. Slater called that outcome “likely” because of the team’s limited number of healthy wings.
The Warriors now enter the remainder of the off-season seeking upgrades through trade while monitoring Butler’s recovery, finalizing Green’s contract and evaluating whether Lendeborg can make an immediate impact in the starting lineup.
Source: Hoops Rumors
