Some rumors and some ideas will simply never end. In 15 years, Canon Curry will be shooting 55% from deep for the Golden State Warriors, and various reporters will be mentioning the team’s desire to trade for LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo to pair with the third generation shooter.
But that’s a story for another year, to be written by the replacement to my replacement’s replacement. For now, we focus on 2026 when, wouldn’t you know it … the Warriors are reportedly trying to add two of the seminal
stars of this era.
With the current season all but over following Jimmy Butler III’s season-ending ACL tear, the Warriors are, justifiably, turning their attention to the offseason. And they are, justifiably, doing it with their vintage “light years” approach of audacious planning.
Yes, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Warriors have their eyes set towards a summer of LeBron and Giannis. Here’s what Fischer wrote on Thursday:
Sources say that the Warriors naturally do plan to feature prominently in the trade mix for Milwaukee’s Antetokounmpo if he truly becomes available via trade this offseason while also exploring the prospect of teaming James with Stephen Curry at last once LeBron becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30.
This audacious plan, while unlikely to come to fruition, has become more plausible over the last 48 hours. The situation with Antetokounmpo and the Bucks is seemingly growing worse daily, with ESPN’s Shams Charania saying, “the writing is on the wall.” As for James, the curtain is being pulled back on the Lakers’ dysfunction, and signs are increasingly pointing towards this being his final season in the purple and gold. An ESPN exposé by Baxter Holmes on Wednesday painted the picture of a tense and uncomfortable relationship between LeBron and Jeanie Buss … and, just as importantly, implied that Buss might be ready to move on from James when he enters free agency later this year.
The Warriors have a path to acquiring each — and even both — this offseason, but it’s not the path that’s likely to be taken. Butler’s expiring contract matches Antetokounmpo’s, and Golden State could build a decently compelling package based around a bevy of first-round picks. That package becomes more interesting if they hang onto Jonathan Kuminga past the deadline, opt into his deal for next season, and can include his expiring contract to take some more long-term money off of Milwaukee’s books. Even so, the Warriors probably can’t put together the best package for Antetokounmpo, and may have to rely on the two-time MVP desiring a pairing with Curry … and Milwaukee doing what they can to facilitate that desire.
Signing James is even less likely. Despite Golden State’s interest, I’m not convinced they would swap Butler for LeBron in a sign-and-trade and, if not, any move would be contingent on James taking a non-max contract to team up with Curry. If he were willing to sacrifice half of his salary, the Warriors could work a sign-and-trade around a Kuminga package … and if he were willing to sacrifice a few more tens of millions, he could sign outright as a mid-level exception. We know LeBron would love to play alongside Curry and Draymond Green, and he has not been shy in his adoration for Steve Kerr. Would all of that, plus a chance to compete for another ring, compel him to take a massive discount for the first time in his storied career? Seems unlikely, but one never knows what a player desires in the twilight of their career.
Of course, since this is Joe Lacob we’re talking about, it’s safe to assume the Warriors are not just hoping for one of these far-fetched outcomes, but both of them. In the interim, don’t expect the Warriors to take a “shoot for the stars, land on the clouds” approach with Butler’s contract. According to Fischer, the Dubs “don’t plan to entertain any move involving Butler unless a truly top-tier trade target tries to push their way toward teaming up with Curry.” Fischer specifically said that Golden State has not shown interest in Anthony Davis, and I would assume it is only an Antetokounmpo-level talent that would get their attention.
It can’t hurt to dream…
