Warriors explore offseason pursuit of Kawhi Leonard or LeBron James; Kristaps Porzingis, Steve Kerr expected to remain
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The Golden State Warriors are weighing ambitious offseason moves that could include chasing Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard or Lakers star LeBron James, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Stein reports that Golden State made an aggressive push for Leonard in the final hour before the February 5 trade deadline, but the Clippers declined to discuss a deal. Team officials are expected to revisit the idea once the offseason opens.
Rival clubs also consider the Warriors a realistic destination for James, who is set to enter free agency this summer. “It has some legs,” one league source told Stein about the possibility.
Internally, league observers anticipate that the Warriors will re-sign Kristaps Porzingis. The 7-foot-3 center recently praised director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini, strengthening the belief that both sides will reach a new agreement.
During an appearance on the Warriors Plus Minus podcast, The Athletic’s Nick Friedell said he “absolutely” expects Porzingis to be on the roster in 2026-27, adding that a new deal feels inevitable.
Friedell also addressed head coach Steve Kerr’s future. Kerr’s contract expires after the season, but Friedell said Stephen Curry wants the longtime coach to stay and predicted the organization will bring him back.
In a column for The San Francisco Standard, Tim Kawakami urged Golden State to target Leonard or James. Kawakami wrote that there are rumblings the NBA could void the final year of Leonard’s contract—worth $50.3 million in 2026-27—as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations that the Clippers circumvented the salary cap when they signed him.
Kawakami outlined a scenario in which the Warriors re-sign Draymond Green and Porzingis to two-year, $40 million contracts apiece. Those deals would position the club to use the projected $15.05 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception on either Leonard or James, provided one of them is willing to accept a significant pay cut.
Source: Hoops Rumors
