Overview
- The Warriors have signaled an active interest in signing LeBron James and are reported to be exploring a trade for Anthony Davis as a way to strengthen a pitch to him.
- Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option on Monday to create short‑term cap flexibility and is expected to re‑sign at a lower rate, which would help the pursuit.
- Golden State’s two‑year, $40 million deal for Kristaps Porziņģis reduces free cap space and complicates a straight signing of LeBron, but sources say the team still has creative options.
- A Davis trade would likely require near‑perfect salary matching, meaning Jimmy Butler’s $56.8 million salary is the most practical match, though the Warriors have privately signaled reluctance to move him and his agent says the team plans to keep and support Butler through rehab.
- Cap experts say the Warriors could try to sign LeBron to a low‑cost 1+1 deal using the non‑taxpayer midlevel exception if they restructure other contracts, while the Lakers and LeBron have not yet held substantive talks.