The 2024 Trade Deadline didn’t have the same fireworks that the deadline from the year before had, but we came close to seeing arguably the biggest trade move in NBA history. The Warriors and 76ers pursued the Lakers to see if LeBron James would be available to put them over the top in their respective scenarios. The Lakers, after consulting with LeBron, declined any trade this winter with LeBron focusing on re-signing in the summer.
LeBron has spoken about his desire to play alongside Stephen Curry before, with more reports suggesting Steve Kerr is also one of his dream coaches. With the Warriors bid failing at the trade deadline, the team could make a swing in the summer with LeBron James’ impending free agency. If the Warriors could find a way to acquire Bronny, they would likely make a swing for LeBron in the offseason with a package the Lakers will struggle to turn down for a player entering Year 22.
Trade Details
Lakers Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga, 2026 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2028 First-Roun Pick (GSW)
Warriors Receive: LeBron James, Gabe Vincent
The Warriors give the Lakers three valuable players and two picks to get LeBron and acquire Gabe Vincent as a salary dump. This would put LeBron next to the Big Three in Golden State along with a few select young players that can help them compete for a championship before James retires.
The Lakers Pivot To A New Era
The Lakers gave Anthony Davis one of the most lucrative contract extensions in NBA history last summer without conditioning it on LeBron’s future. Up until now, LeBron and AD have been on similar contract lengths on the Lakers, with AD’s extension finally breaking that trend. This shows that the Lakers are happy with AD being the franchise’s long-time No. 1, so making moves to readjust the roster around him would be ideal for the Lakers. Using LeBron to get two high-quality veteran role-players and a young star along with picks is the perfect way to do that.
Chris Paul would be a solid guard option, but at his advanced age, it’s unfair to expect him to massively impact the team. He’s averaging 8.9 points and 7.2 assists this season but is currently injured, but would be a nifty sixth-man guard option for the Lakers that have struggled to get guard play behind D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. Andrew Wiggins is a versatile 3-and-D forward who needs a change of scenery after a 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds season with Golden State.
Kuminga is the main attraction in this deal. He’s averaged 15.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 2024, emerging as the Warriors’ second-best player. Without him, a LeBron deal may just be impossible. The Warriors understand his long-term value, so his inclusion could be the most agonizing part of the trade for Golden State. Everyone deals with picks, but a proven, high-potential young talent like Kuminga isn’t easy to let go of.
The Warriors Keep The Dynasty Alive
Acquiring LeBron James might be the most incredible basketball move that the Warriors could pull off. This is a team that signed a former MVP like Kevin Durant after a 73-9 season but getting James would somehow top that. The Warriors haven’t been rivals against a team over the last decade, they’ve been rivaling with LeBron James. LeBron and the Lakers gave them their first Western Conference Playoff series loss in the dynasty era last year, with this season making it look like the dynasty is over.
If LeBron is up for it, this trade would happen and bring him to Golden State alongside Gabe Vincent. James is averaging 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists this season while Vincent has been mostly hurt. The Warriors likely try to run lineups with their big three of Steph, Dray, and Klay, along with LeBron and a big like Kevon Looney or Trayce-Jackson Davis. The Warriors could also go small by using Brandin Podziemski instead and putting Draymond at the five.
The age of the core will be rightfully brought into question, along with the durability of all the players on the roster. But maybe James’ gravity and playmaking make the game far easier for both Steph and Klay to get easier buckets, with a sound defensive system giving them enough hope to compete for a title. If they can somehow get Bronny on Draft Night, LeBron won’t decline the move as he did this winter.
Would LeBron James Ever Leave LA?
In conclusion, a deal like this hinges on one thing and one thing alone. What does LeBron James want? Moving to the Bay Area doesn’t put him that far from his family, with his eldest son about to be an NBA player himself. It might be the perfect non-Laker opportunity for LeBron. If he leads the Warriors to a championship with Curry, it might lead to the single most impactful moment in modern NBA history. They’re both legends of the game and could win their fifth title together to match Kobe Bryant.
The only reason James will leave the Lakers will be to play with Bronny, so acquiring him might be the best route to landing LeBron for any team. An Eastern Conference team like Philadelphia doing that is less plausible, as James won’t uproot his family from the West Coast again. Being traded to the Warriors simply adds time to his commute from home, so it could be an explorable option.
Something about competitive spirit has to be said. LeBron has always wanted to play with Curry but declined the opportunity to move this winter. He might want to play with Curry on his terms in LA rather than making his way out to the Bay Area and join the franchise that beat him in the Finals thrice. A lot of fans would mock him endlessly for that.
If James can look over the shortcomings, this might be one of the greatest stories in basketball if it comes to fruition.
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