The Golden State Warriors are pursuing a two-step plan that would first bring center Anthony Davis to the Bay Area and then entice forward LeBron James to sign in free agency, according to a report by Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports that cites multiple league sources.
The report states Golden State is attempting to complete a trade for Davis, described as a “Wizards big,” before the market opens. Any deal, sources said, would need to feature Jimmy Butler—currently on an expiring $57 million contract while recovering from a torn ACL—along with draft assets that include two future first-round picks and four first-round swap rights.
Should the Warriors secure Davis, they reportedly believe the move would help convince the 41-year-old James to leave Los Angeles and accept the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, projected at roughly $15 million for the 2024-25 season. Free agency officially begins Tuesday, giving Golden State limited time to finalize a Davis trade.
The Warriors have shown interest in James previously as they look to pair another superstar with Stephen Curry. Team executives are said to be pitching James on the chance to reunite with Davis, join Curry and Draymond Green, play for head coach Steve Kerr, and chase an additional championship alongside an accomplished roster.
Outside Golden State, James is also rumored to be considering the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat, the latter after Miami’s reported acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Wherever he signs, sources indicate James remains focused on contending for a title.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers retain the league’s largest amount of salary-cap space and can offer James a significantly richer contract than any rival club. Recent reports, however, note that the Lakers have yet to present a formal offer.
The opening of free agency and the Warriors’ hunt for Davis now place a tight deadline on all parties as the league’s offseason accelerates.
Source: LakersNation.com
