The popular narrative right before free agency opened last month was that the Golden State Warriors were pursuing LeBron James after Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option. With Green becoming a free agent, the Dubs had the salary-cap flexibility to sign the four-time MVP.
Almost two weeks since then, the Warriors have yet to sign the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar.
Recently, rumors surfaced that James is recruiting Green to join him in Cleveland instead of teaming up in the Bay Area. However, NBA insider Brian Windhorst pushed back on those talks recently.
Brian Windhorst Shoots Down LeBron James Recruiting Rumors Involving 4-Time NBA Champion
Content creator Cullen Honohan detailed how the James-Green rumors to Cleveland started. The podcaster shared a story in which an Ohio-based cupcake shop said that the 41-year-old superstar would bring his son, Bronny James, back to Cleveland with the Warriors’ four-time champ.
Honohan emphasized that the original post was later edited by the cupcake shop, which clarified that it was only making the most of the hoopla surrounding James.
Windhorst, in a radio interview with ESPN Cleveland, responded to those rumors.
“I have not heard that from a credible source,” Windhorst said.
In fact, not only did the NBA reporter not hear that rumor from a reliable source, but he also had bad news for the Cavaliers.
“I’m hearing stuff in other cities, too. I’m not gonna say who, but I had somebody on the phone with me today that I consider a good source who was swearing it’s a done deal in another city,” Windhorst added.
The NBA insider did concede that the rumors and stories are “scattered,” so he didn’t give definitive intel on where the 22-time All-Star could play next.
Green going to Cleveland is also unlikely, according to credible sources. The Athletic’s Nick Friedell and Sam Amick, Warriors insiders, wrote early this month that “the 36-year-old is expected to re-sign with the franchise for a 15th season.”
ClutchPoints’ NBA insider Brett Siegel also posted the same thing.
“No matter what transpires over the coming days with the Warriors, the one known fact is that Draymond will be back for the 2026-27 season. If the team strikes out on James, Davis, and other high-profile players on the free agent and trade markets, then they can simply offer him basically the same one-year, $27.7 million contract he just declined.”
Green has also said on multiple occasions in his podcast that he wants to remain with the franchise that drafted him in 2012.
According to credible reports, a potential James-Green partnership will take place only in the Golden State. For that to happen, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer will have to take a massive pay cut.
He could get either the minimum $3.9 million or a little more if the Warriors make more moves.
Green will also be asked to take less to accommodate James.
