LeBron James could take his talents to the Golden State Warriors if the stars align for the four-time MVP. Draymond Green opened that possibility by opting out of his $27.7 million player option on Monday to create a $15 million mid-level exception that the Warriors could use to sign the former Los Angeles Lakers star.
On Wednesday, The Athletic’s Warriors insider Nick Friedell gave his latest take on where Golden State stands in its pursuit of the 22-time NBA All-Star.
Warriors Insider Says LeBron James to Golden State Is a Coin Flip
The Dubs’ financial flexibility doesn’t guarantee that James will agree to team up with Stephen Curry. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on Tuesday that the four-time NBA champion is waiting for the Warriors and any other interested teams to make significant moves to convince him to sign a contract.
However, James and Golden State are not on the same page. According to Windhorst’s ESPN colleague, Ramona Shelburne, the Bay Area team wants the 41-year-old to commit first before it chases another star like Anthony Davis.
Amid the standoff, Friedell offered his thoughts on the situation on the “Willard & Dibs” show.
“I’d say it’s about 50/50 right now, and I think it’s Golden State and Cleveland,” Friedell said. “… If you want basketball happiness … there’s no better place to do that than [Golden State]. Flatly. He’s got chemistry with Steph, he knows Draymond for all these years, he knows what Steve Kerr is all about. … It’s gonna come down to what does he really want because the storybook ending is Cleveland, it’s not here.”
“It’s about a 50/50 right now. It’s between Cleveland and Golden State.”
Warriors insider @NickFriedell on what the chances are that Lebron James joins the Warriors (@WillardAndDibs) pic.twitter.com/1hsX2tZIKe
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) July 1, 2026
NBA insider Shams Charania, who broke the news of Green opting out and James leaving Los Angeles, reported on Monday that Davis and James “would have to be a package deal in order to come to Golden State.”
Getting Davis seems to be the key, but the situation has been muddled after Windhorst reported that the Dubs told Jimmy Butler they would not be trading him. Butler’s $56.8 million salary for next season is the most convenient match to Davis’ $58.5 million deal. Unless the Warriors change their mind about the injured forward, the James-Davis pairing is likely out of their reach.
The Washington Wizards might have also saved the Warriors from getting their hopes up for the James-Davis duo to come to Golden State. According to another NBA insider, Marc J. Spears, the Wizards “are not interested in trading the 10-time NBA All-Star forward and are not listening to trade offers for him.”
KEEP READING: Shams Charania States 3 ‘Prospective Destinations’ For NBA Legend LeBron James After Surprising Lakers Exit
The decision ultimately lies with James, who reportedly said that happiness is his No. 1 priority. If that is the objective, the Warriors and the Cavaliers might not be the only teams with a shot at landing him.
The Miami Heat, with whom he won two of his four NBA Finals MVPs, is an intriguing possibility. James’ agent, Rich Paul, told his “Game Over” podcast co-host Max Kellerman on Wednesday that having indoor and outdoor golf is important to his client. Miami, where James played for four seasons, can give him that.
Time is on James’ side. He has earned the right to choose his next team when he is ready. For now, multiple suitors are likely putting some of their offseason business on hold until the NBA’s all-time scoring leader decides his next move.
