The Golden State Warriors are trying to figure out the best way to stay in the hunt for a championship. Their season is over after losing in the play-in to the Suns. Now, they will have one of the longest offseasons they have had for a while.
Injuries derailed any shot of the Warriors competing for a deep playoff run. Rumors have been swirling that Golden State could pursue LeBron James in free agency. Teaming him up with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler would give them three stars next year.
James is still trying to decide what he wants to do, and won’t make a decision until the Lakers are out of the playoffs. However, one outlet is predicting he will either stay in LA or sign with the Warriors
LeBron James Gets Prediction to Sign with the Warriors
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report gave a bold prediction that James will either stay in Los Angeles or sign a deal with Golden State.
“Signing with the Warriors (who could have the non-taxpayer mid-level) or re-up with the Lakers (who can pay him more than anyone) would be the surest indicator yet he’s determined to hit that quarter-century mark. Yeah, he might deny it. Sources divulged to (Dan) Woike and (Sam) Amick that LeBron himself has said he doesn’t need the pomp and circumstance of a farewell tour,” Favale wrote.
Of course, bringing James in doesn’t guarantee that Golden State will be good enough to win a championship next season. Adding another aging superstar actually increases the chances that the team will suffer another rash of injuries next season.
James showed that he is good enough to still carry a team in short spurts. In a Game 1 victory over the Rockets, James finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists. That is the kind of production that the Warriors need in order to make one last title run.
The Warriors May Have a Cap Crunch
Signing James would be hard unless he decides to take a massive pay cut. The only way they would be able to afford him is by using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. If James wants to make more money, he wouldn’t be headed to the Bay Area.
Keeping Curry healthy and having Butler return 100 percent from his injury is the biggest key to success for Golden State next season. Curry is still an elite shooter, as he showed against the Clippers. Still, adding James would be beneficial to their endeavors to win one more title.
Steve Kerr does not have a contract for next season. That will also need to be figured out before the Warriors make any personnel moves as it pertains to the roster. If things don’t work next season, the Warriors could be in for a long-term rebuild. The post-Curry era is quickly approaching.