After missing out on the signature of LeBron James, the Golden State Warriors are turning their attention to the future.
Warriors insider Tim Kawakami has shared the latest on principal owner Joe Lacob’s backup plan after failing to reunite James with Stephen Curry.
Golden State Warriors Insider Reveals Owner Joe Lacob’s Plan After LeBron James Snub
James was heavily linked with the Warriors, but announced on Friday that he would be joining the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year contract. This news came as a major blow to the Warriors, who now face the need to pivot in what is already a shrinking championship window for their aging roster.
Kawakami provided some insight into Lacob’s plans after being snubbed by James, and revealed that the Warriors owner is now looking beyond the Curry era.
“What Lacob wants to do and this might get Warriors’ fans mad, but he wants to build the next team after Stephen Curry. I don’t know how possible that is. But Lacob has a very keen interest in, ‘This organization’s going to show what it can do with Steph Curry and then after him. I don’t think it’s going to be as good myself. But that’s what he wants to do,” Kawakami said on the TK Show.
The Warriors will now shift focus to re-signing Draymond Green, who declined his player option to give the team flexibility to make roster moves. Golden State will also look to finalize De’Anthony Melton’s contract.
DeMar DeRozan could be a short-term option for the Warriors should they look to add veteran scoring to the roster for next season. The future of Jimmy Butler also remains uncertain as he continues to be sidelined with the ACL tear he suffered in January.
Curry will be eligible for an extension next month with his current contract set to expire at the end of the 2026/27 season. The 38-year-old could be eligible to sign a two-year, $136.7 million max extension with the Warriors. He averaged 26.6 points per game last season, but was limited to just 43 appearances due to injury.
The Warriors have been looking to land a star in recent years to help Curry win his fifth NBA championship. However, after missing out on James, it will be interesting to see if their win-now approach changes.
The likelihood is that the Warriors will look to offer Curry an extension while keeping their options open on how to usher in a new era once the greatest player in franchise history finally decides to hang up his boots.
