There's suddenly buzz that LeBron James to the Warriors could be in play - if they break up their dominant core

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There's suddenly buzz that LeBron James to the Warriors could be in play - if they break up their dominant core

lebron james

Chris Graythen/Getty

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  • LeBron James would consider meeting with the Golden State Warriors this offseason when he becomes a free agent, according to a report.
  • The Warriors would have to clear max cap space, which would mean losing at least two of their core players.
  • There is no indication that the Warriors are considering such moves, but the report may be another indication that James is considering leaving Cleveland.


A new and surprising team has been added to LeBron James' potential destinations this offseason: the Golden State Warriors.

According to ESPN's Chris Haynes, when James becomes a free agent this offseason, he would at least consider meeting with the Warriors.

However, that potential meeting would hinge on a huge factor - the Warriors clearing max cap space, which would mean breaking up their dominant core.

Currently, the Warriors are slated to have $128 million in payroll next season, not including any cap holds for free agents or draft picks, according to Basketball-Reference. With the salary cap projected at around $100 million, the Warriors would have to clear at least two of their highest-paid players to even consider fitting James. Their highest-paid players, in order, are Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala.

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As ESPN noted, if the two sides were indeed interested, a sign-and-trade would perhaps be the best option. Haynes wrote, for example, that the Warriors could trade Thompson and Iguodala to the Cavs in exchange for James.

Still, skepticism abounds over whether James would truly consider meeting with the Warriors, and according to Haynes, there is no indication that the Warriors even have their eyes on James. Instead, the intrigue mostly seems to come from James' desire to be in a stable, winning culture, something the Cleveland Cavaliers haven't exactly exuded this season.

James, who lost his fair share of fans in 2010 when he left the Cavs for the Miami Heat, may also be sensitive to the optics of leaving his hometown again and joining the most dominant team in the league.

If nothing else, the report may be another indication of the larger rumors surrounding James over the past few months - he may be on his way out of Cleveland this summer.