What LeBron James leaving Lakers means for Warriors

Joseph Dycus, Bay Area News Group on Jun 30, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors have an opportunity to sign arguably the greatest player in NBA history.

A few hours before the start of free agency on Tuesday afternoon, LeBron James informed the Lakers that he had no interest in returning to his team of the past eight seasons.

The Lakers put out a statement reading, “We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.”

James later put out the following statement: “No, THANK YOU! Truly a honor to wear the (purple and gold emoji) while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint.”

Enter the Warriors, who have the ability to double down on experience and add another aging legend to a roster stacked with Hall of Famers in Steph Curry (38), Jimmy Butler (36) and Al Horford (40).

The Warriors went 37-45 last season, and their starting forwards in Butler and Moses Moody are expected to miss most of the season with knee injuries.

Alongside rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, James would provide instant production at the position should he sign with the Warriors.

ESPN reported that while the Warriors are interested in James, the organization is not considered a “firm landing spot” for him at the moment.

James, 41, is still one of the top players in the game, averaging 20.9 points and 7.2 assists per game last season after returning from an early bout with sciatica.

However, the Warriors would be banking on several players in their late 30s and early 40s staying healthy enough to lead a franchise on a deep playoff run, something that has never happened in NBA history.

Even the 2010s Spurs had younger stars such as Kawhi Leonard to pick up the slack from the veterans, while the 2008 Celtics and late-1990s Rockets had legends who were only in their early-to-mid 30s.

In his most recent episode of the Draymond Green Show, 36-year-old Green explained why he opted out of his $27 million player option.

“So when in a position to try to help better our team and help better this organization, I’m always intrigued by that route,” Green said. “Opting out I think for us, leaves optionality. It allows (us) to possibly do some things.”

Even with Green expected to take a pay cut by re-signing on a long-term deal at a lower per-year value, getting James to play in the Bay Area would involve him accepting a massive pay cut.

After playing last season on a $52.6 million contract, the league’s all-time leading scorer would need to accept either a $15 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception or a $6.1 million taxpayer midlevel exception depending the rest of the Warriors’ salary cap situation.

With Al Horford back on a $7 million per year deal, and Kristaps Porzingis inking a $20 million per year contract and Green expected to also re-sign, the Warriors are expected to only have the $6.1 million exception available.

The only realistic way the Warriors could have the NTPMLE available is if they find a way to trade away Moody, who is set to make $12.5 million this season.

Free agency begins at 3 p.m. Pacific Time.