Already loaded with talent, the Golden State Warriors could add more firepower in the offseason in LeBron James, who could leave the Cleveland Cavaliers after this season and become a free agent. According to Chris Haynes of ESPN, league sources said that the Warriors could secure a meeting with James if they can create a max salary slot in the offseason. Sources said James would listen to the Warriors if they can create the necessary cap space to sign him.
James could leave the Cavaliers after this season by declining the $35.6 million player option.
However, James could sign a long-term deal with the Cavaliers or attempt to win his fourth NBA title with another team. The Warriors can present James with the biggest chance of winning another title with their talent-laden lineup of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. James and the Cavaliers have faced the Warriors three times in the NBA Finals, losing twice.
Aside from their star-studded lineup, the Warriors’ strong front office could be an added factor in enticing James to join his Western Conference rival. Kevin Pelton of ESPN said the Warriors could get James via a sign-and-trade deal. The Warriors can offer Thompson and Andre Iguodala to the Cavaliers to match salaries.
Durant must also make another sacrifice for the Warriors by declining his player option and agree to a lower salary than the $25 million he’s earning this season.
Durant should make another sacrifice
Durant agreed to a $9 million salary cut, signing just a two-year deal worth $53 million to help the Warriors keep the core of their team.
With Durant’s help, the Warriors were able to sign Curry to a maximum five-year deal worth $201 million, Iguodala to a three-year contract worth $48 million and Shaun Livingston to a two-year pact worth $24 million.
Thompson the odd man out
The Warriors could choose to part ways with Thompson to be able to sign James. Thompson is in the third year of a four-year, $69 million deal that he signed with the Warriors.
Thompson is slated to earn $17.8 million and $18.9 million in 2018. However, the Warriors would not be able to sign him to a maximum deal, thus they will be forced to trade him before his contract expires.
Evan Macy of Metro US said Thompson could join the Philadelphia 76ers after his contract expires in 2018. Macy said the 76ers have enough salary cap room to accommodate Thompson’s maximum salary. If Thompson joins Philadelphia, the 76ers could become a force in the Eastern Conference as he will play alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
