The Golden State Warriors went absolutely all-in on LeBron James this offseason, man. They were exploring every single possibility, making big moves even before free agency officially kicked off. Seriously, they were fully invested, chasing the superstar hard, trying to make the biggest splash of the summer.
The King’s Throne Might Be Elsewhere
You know they pulled out all the stops, right? Warriors superstar Stephen Curry himself reportedly met up with James, straight up talking about the possibility of teaming up. Can you even imagine that? Curry, the face of the franchise, sitting down, selling the vision. NBA insider Brett Siegel even said the whole idea, which started as “very doubtful” and a “low percentage” chance, suddenly had “some legs.” Siegel confirmed Curry was planning these talks for weeks leading up to free agency, which just shows you how laser-focused Golden State was on making this crazy dream a reality.
But honestly, dude, it looks like that aggressive pursuit might be losing some serious steam. We’re talking about a chase that seemed like a long shot but had everyone buzzing like crazy. Now, the latest reports are dropping a bombshell, suggesting Golden State is actually *behind* a bunch of other teams in the race for James. ESPN’s Shams Charania didn’t pull any punches, saying the Warriors are, to his knowledge, “behind other teams such as a Miami, a Cleveland, a Philadelphia.” That’s gotta sting, man, after all that effort and those big dreams.
A $305 Million Pivot Play?
So, if the Warriors miss out on James and, let’s be real, it’s looking more and more likely, what’s their next move? Are they just going to sit there? Nah, it seems they already have a solid backup plan cooked up. Blue Man Hoop’s Peter O’Keefe is straight-up predicting Golden State could turn their attention to DeMar DeRozan. And honestly, for a Plan B, that’s not a bad pivot at all, right?
O’Keefe wrote that the “DeRozan idea is seen as a possible alternative” especially because the franchise is “clearly needing more offense in the wake of Butler’s torn ACL injury.” Think about it: Jimmy Butler’s injury means he’s missing a “significant part of next season,” so bringing in a proven scorer like DeRozan could provide a massive offensive boost exactly when they need it most. This guy has earned $305 million throughout his NBA career; that’s not chump change. It shows his consistent impact over the years. While he probably won’t command that same monster contract again, he could absolutely make a huge impact with the Warriors if he gets the opportunity. He’d fit well alongside their current roster, giving them a serious scoring punch and some much needed stability.
What’s Next for Golden State?
It’s straight-up crunch time for Golden State. If LeBron isn’t heading their way, and all signs are definitely pointing in that direction, then securing a veteran scorer like DeRozan becomes absolutely critical. They’re gonna need that offensive firepower to stay competitive, especially with Butler sidelined for a while. Keep your eyes peeled on what goes down next; the Warriors are still looking to make a splash, even if it’s not the one everyone initially expected. This off-season is far from over!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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