The prospect of LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for the Golden State Warriors remains alive, according to multiple reports. ESPN and The Stein Line both identified Golden State this week as the leading external threat to lure the 21-year veteran away from Los Angeles. Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area, veteran reporter Monte Poole wrote that the rumor will persist until either James commits elsewhere or a trusted source ends the speculation.
“I know it seems crazy,” an unnamed league insider told Poole. “But there is at least curiosity on both sides. … It’s mostly up to LeBron.”
If the four-time MVP considers a move to Northern California, the Warriors would need to overhaul their roster or engineer a sign-and-trade with the Lakers to exceed the projected $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
Draft considerations
In a separate piece for NBC Sports Bay Area, Poole argued that Golden State should transform the No. 11 overall pick in this month’s draft into multiple first-round selections by trading down, viewing the strategy as a better long-term play for the franchise.
Prospect workouts
The Warriors’ pre-draft schedule continues this week with an individual workout and in-person meeting for Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported. Sources told Slater that Lendeborg has several supporters inside the organization.
Arizona guard Brayden Burries is also expected to visit next week, Slater added, marking another potential lottery candidate set to meet with Golden State’s decision-makers.
The Warriors hold one first-round pick, No. 11, in the June draft.
Source: Hoops Rumors
