SerpApi.Org
The Warriors have openly been in pursuit of LeBron James since even before free agency officially began. Draymond Green dropping his $27.7 million player option gave them the flexibility they needed to make a compelling offer to James.
But recent signs have suggested that James prefers going East, and the Warriors are losing steam in their confidence to potentially land James.
Amid the uncertainty of what comes next for the Warriors in the process of presumably trying to capitalize on a 38-year-old Stephen Curry’s final seasons with the team, NBA insider Anthony Slater has confirmed what most Golden State fans feared.
He believes the Warriors will not jeopardize their future for a win-now move with this roster.
“Yeah, boring. I think stable,” said Slater when asked about the Warriors’ plan B.
“I mentioned this: a part of the Warriors’ long-term plan is post-Steph right now, let’s just be honest. I know Steve Kerr came back, and I know there’s this belief that they will throw all the picks because it’s about the next couple of years; it’s not really all about the next couple of years.”
“Think about how they have kept their books clean and beyond this season only have $34.9 million committed beyond this season. They have a lot of, fans don’t like to hear this, but optionality and flexibility. They can go after future stars. They’ve kept their draft picks, even though people wanted them to trade them.”
“And they used the 11th pick on Yaxel Lendeborg; we’re seeing it right here, this is very limited money committed long-term,” said Slater as they showed the breakdown of the Warriors’ five contracts guaranteed for the 2027-28 season.
The Warriors are expected to sign Stephen Curry to a $136 million contract extension ($68 million in annual average value), and Slater also confirmed that Draymond Green is expected to sign an extension irrespective of James.
The only difference James’ arrival makes to Draymond’s contract is the salary amount. But Green fully intends to sign an extension, Slater indicated.
“I fully expect him to come back. All expectations are that he comes back. The point of him opting out and giving this $27.6 million player option back was to create the financial flexibility.”
“If LeBron came, he would get a two- or a three-year deal with a little bit more security. But if, let’s say, LeBron James doesn’t come, they could just give Draymond Green back basically a $27 million offer, which would basically put him back on the player option.”
“This would keep the Warriors’ long-term financial flexibility and give Draymond Green the payday he wants. Basically, the Warriors and Draymond Green want to be together for the entirety of his career,” Slater concluded.
Therefore, it is a realistic possibility that Golden State could be one or two years away from a full rebuild around a new star player. Hence, even though Stephen Curry is capable of delivering another championship, the Warriors are expected to prioritize their long-term growth over a win-now move.
If LeBron James decides not to join the Warriors and Green gets a longer deal than a one-year extension, with Stephen Curry’s potential contract, the Warriors would still only commit approximately 135 million in the 2027-28 season. This gives them significant room to initiate a rebuild around a new star whom they could land in free agency.
Hence, the unfortunate end of the Stephen Curry championship contention era could be near. But it all hinges upon LeBron James’ decision at this point.
