[Charania] The Warriors initial offseason plan was to pair Curry and Draymond with LeBron and Anthony Davis. With them being unable to trade for AD so far, I think they believe LeBron isn’t coming there
“I think they believe” really stretching the limits of journalism there
Not a journalist
Tim Kawakami is kind of a journalist and he said LeBron was going to sign in GS.
He’s always full of shit though
Tim Kawakami is the king of throwing shit on the wall to see what sticks.
For as great as the warriors have been, they have very annoying local guys, him and their announcer
Anthony Slater is ok and the radio guy Tim Roye is good.
Edit: Tim Roye is excellent, good is an understatement
Tim roye is superb
There was a road game that Bob couldn’t make and Tim teamed up with Kelenna. It was SO good.
Kawakami is a Lacob mouth piece usually
He’s also a smug asshole
I know this is a hate thread but he’s literally on TV doing an analysis , not reporting news.
Like it’s fairly obvious this is meant to be his opinion
It’s also fascinating to see Shams getting a disproportionate amount of hate than a few years ago Woj got for doing the same shtick
Like it’s obvious to me when they are reporting and just putting their opinion out their based on what they know
Still more reliable info than anyone here
To be fair, he’s not reporting here. Just talking on TV. You can be a journalist and also have an opinion.
Yea he’s more like the morning announcements guy. Like breaking news, this player just signed and im the first person to announce it.
That’s the extent of what he does. Nothing else. Calling it journalism would be a gigantic stretch.
He is not a journalist. He is an insider. Two different jobs.
The moment y’all grasp that distinction is the moment you’ll stop being so outraged over every sentence Shams utters.
Foreal. His job is to take what he hears from agents and teams and share it with the public. Pablo Torre is a journalist, Shams is a source of information
He’s not a journalist though, is he?
He’s just a professional gossip monger who gets paid for sharing the gossip on ESPN.
Adjunct Gossiper
They need to do this for the Lakers too.
“I think the lakers believe LeBron won’t re-sign with them, per sources”
Mfs on reddit always acting like these sentences on a broadcast or show are official statements being made lol
LeBron is choosing between the Cavs and the Heat.
I wouldn’t entirely throw out the sixers either
I would
Nah LeBron loves playing with offensive big men. That’s why he did everything in his power to get AD to LA
Lebron would be their PF. Lebron HATES playing in the front court and getting physical, especially at 41.
PFs nowadays are Tatum, Tobias Harris, OG, guys that should be SF are now PF.
Only problem would be vs the Heat tho…
Can you tell this to the Timberwolves sub pissing their pants over Jaden starting at the 4? You’d think we were starting Muggsy Bouges
LeBron would be playing Point Forward on the Sixers and wouldn’t be off ball in the paint that much
Why would he be playing point forward when you already have an all-star point guard?
Team is much more dangerous with Maxey as a SG as he’s not a natural facilitator. Having LeBron on ball with Maxey, Brown, Edgecombe, and Embiid around him is a lot harder to defend
Man what a team that could be
Maxey is a 2. He cant facilitate well.
Maxey is a point guard the same way curry is a point guard.
Because when they are both on the court Maxey is a better off-ball scorer and LeBron is a better passer?
We got 83 and Giannis though 👀
Ya but dont you remember what they did to LeBrons cookies? I doubt he’ll forgive Pat
Let’s just ignore the fact that prime AD was one of the best defenders in the league
Still is when he can be on the court
Pretty sure he was saying he wants to throw them out like garbage. Not about LeBron
He should team up with meyers leonard
gobert is one of the most offensive players in the league
Maxey, VJ, Brown, and Embiid are high usage players. Lebron would hate standing in the corner for three.
Why would you? The podcast suggest that’s one of the more likely landing spots
This is the one. If he really wants to win, sixers are his best chance.
yes but two Knick fans say it isn’t going to happen so you gotta believe them
The diameter on the Knicks circlejerk is insanely huge
knicks fans are obsessed with keeping philly out of this convo lol theyre in every thread banging this drum
They’re in every thread as the first reply to any comment of sixers flair but they’re super secure and not scared at all
He can go anywhere if he’s willing to sign a vet min… Which means there are definitely more teams that give him a better chance to win that 76ers. He can go to SA if he wants!
But of the teams that are vying for him right now
LeBron is making a huge mistake if he’s basing his decision on a used car salemans pitch. Again any team can sign him and would gladly pick up the call. Teams chasing him shouldnt be a factor for him.
Honestly, basketball wise the Cavs, Heat and Nuggets all fit better and have a higher chance of a chip than the 76ers. Bob knows this which is why is hammering the recruiting so hard.
The Knicks are the best fit for him hands down but they just won a chip so he won’t go there.
Knicks need depth in the front court + a secondary ball handler/playmaker.
Bron would be surrounded by defensive wings. He’d be asked to alleviate pressure from Brunson taking the ball up and allowing Brunson to play more off ball.
It’s too perfect and plugs the only holes on the Knicks but again the optics would look bad. This also gives LeBron to do a retirement tour through MSG which would feed families.
Brunson Mikal OG Bron Kat
Repeat is all but guaranteed.
That’s a fine fit, but doubt Brunson (and his dad) want LeBrons voice on their turf. LeBron is also not going to play for Dolan
As for guaranteed chip, too much parity in the league now. Even a superteam is beholden to the injury gods. Health is the #1 predictor of playoff success now.
Risky. It’s debatable whether the Knicks would be the favorites - with or without Lebron - simply because OKC and SAS are still strong and have the assets to get even stronger. But if Lebron goes to NY and they don’t repeat … he’s got a lot to lose in that situation.
And there is no guarantee he’d blend well with Brunson. Based on what he said at the end of the season, it seemed like it bruised his ego a lot to play second and third fiddle to AR and Luka. I think he needs to learn how to manage that. I don’t think he has enough in the tank to be any more than that.
He’s given no serious indication that he’s willing to do something like Durant to the Warriors.
But, I think the Spurs still have an outside shot because they actually need him. He could go to the Spurs and be the 1A/1B to Wemby. It would be like Shaq pairing with Wade.
He was definitely considering GS, but they weren’t willing or are unable to improve enough where he has a realistic change at winning there. It’s not Durant to a prime Warriors, it’s an over the hill Warriors.
Golden State didn’t just lose the NBA finals. It’s not like Durant going to the Warriors after losing to the Cavs.
I get your point. I thought you meant GS specifically. You meant being the one last piece to push any team over.
LeBron definitely wants that chip next season. SA isn’t going to happen because he has no relationship with the team/ownership and this league is about men with massive egos. Bron is going somewhere were his voice will be heard up the chain, not just viewed as another player. That’s why its really only the Cavs and the Heat. Bobs claiming the 76ers will also bend to LeBron’s wishes but I many doubt that is legit.
Well ignore my bias but I don’t think Sixers his best chances if you ask me
Cavs just made the ECF
…after barely beating toronto in the first round and barely beating detroit lol
Barely beating the 60 + win 1 seed how terrible
I get we are pretty far removed from that playoffs, but the Pistons were ass, hoping they can improve and come back stronger next year but they were a fake 1 seed after injuries ruined their synergy and their 2nd best performer fell of a cliff
The cavs are a good team, but beating the Pistons is not exactly proof of that.
The Cavs are closer to a title than the Sixers are with or without LeBron. Everything about the Sixers hinges on Embiid’s health. Which is to say not great.
the schrodingers pistons are either a 60+ win juggernaut or fake 1 seed frauds based on the commenter’s agenda
what about being taken to 7 by the raptors in the first round? how noble!
Yep, all barely wins are not wins. Every team that has barely beaten another is not credited with the win. That’s how it works.
Oh wait. No it’s not. Stfu clown.
Cavs barely beat the Warriors in 2016 it doesn’t count!
damn, i knew it was too good to be true
i forgot winning game 7s doesn’t count
I assume he’d rather hedge his bets and go somewhere his “brought every team a championship” status isn’t at risk
Ah yes the team whos never been out the second round and completely relies on embiids knee has the best chance of winning 😂😂
I’m totally biased, but Heat makes the most sense. It’s the team that could most easily hide him on defense and on offense hed have the ball in his hands a lot and get to be a playmaker.
Why go to the Cavs and fight Harden and Mitchell for the ball and deal with Harden’s turnstile defense? Why go to the Sixers, with Maxey and Brown dominating the ball and the constant uncertainty of Embiid’s health?
You’re acting like Giannis hasn’t played point forward most of the past decade. He wants the ball in his hands most of the time too.
Hes literally is right up there with Luka in terms of usage rate
I’m not acting like anything. Teams need more than one playmaker, and there’s enough dribbles for both Bron and Giannis to get what they need. But unlike the Cavs and Sixers, the Heat don’t have ball dominant guards. Bron can basically run the point if he wants
Lebron would pair so well with Giannis.
Its very different when two players dominate the ball vs 3 players.
Maxey is actually even better off ball than on ball. He’s had to play on ball because we don’t have a point guard. But back when he played off ball next to harden he was literally elite from 3.
In his final presser, Maxey was practically begging to play more off ball lol
I think Maxey is a great player and would be great with LeBron and a healthy Embiid.
I think JB is the question mark and he’ll need to change his game the most to fit on the Sixers. He’s not a good shooter and his best skills are being on ball which takes the ball out of LeBron and Embiid’s hands.
maxey “dominates the ball” because hes our most talented guard lol. literally everyone who watches him play knows he excels off ball
completely forgetting former DPOY and Unicorn Mobley and double double machine and shot blocking big man Allen here huh ? Not to mention sharpshooter in Strus and Merrill.
Mitchell is usually a walking bucket and top 10 scorer, Harden has already said he is ready to take a backseat for the team to win a chip.
I would think Cavs are more likely than the Heat. Come back full circle where it all began
He already did that, now it’s our turn
No, you both had your turns. Throw Minny a bone.
I feel like on paper that is actually the best fit
I just want to see Lebron versus Lamelo.
Yes I mean if Bron joins the Wolves.
He doesn’t have any emotional attachment to you guys. He’s always said that going to Miami was strictly a business decision. He’s coming back home.
Lebron on the wolves would make the most sense. Dedicated center, solid pf so theres no need for him to play positions he doesnt like, edwards and ball can shoot the 3, perfect kick out options. Edwards loves taking the game winning shots which helps lebron not have to make himself look bad doing it. They also have depth and the money to get him.
Still hoping he comes to GS and plays a year with curry before retiring.
What about us?
He’s choosing the Cavs. This is his retirement tour this season
What’s he waiting on then?
Some speculate he’s waiting until after World Cup ends (July 19th) so his news will have its own bandwidth
Wizards
He’s actually going to Brooklyn with a promised first chance to put together a new potential ownership group should the team be sold. And $100m+ in Aspiration-style endorsement deals.
Heat is where he should go for fit reasons.
warriors dream is dead wow; thought it was an almost foregone conclusion when he announced he was leaving the lakers
Wizards probably raised their price after hearing the leaks about what the warriors wanted to do lol
Definitely
feels like all of this talk about Philly and New York, and how this is a “true free agency” for LeBron is all just noise so that the Wizards will drop their price
i wouldn’t be surprised if he’s considering all his options at this point anyways, but that’s what my gut says
He’s going to Cleveland
I hope not. Would hate to see Harden choke away LeBron’s chances at one last playoff run.
Yeah I don’t really see how hitching your wagon to famous playoff underperformers Harden and Mitchell is at all attractive for Lebron.
It was delusional to think that we would trade AD after just getting him made no sense. This don’t office has made it clear they want to see him play with this team. The Wizards disrespect ends this season 😂
I mean, expecting the wizards to make a bad trade doesn’t seem that crazy imo. They tank for the love of the game.
Old news
We’ve never been known for making particularly bad trades, even under our old front office. If anything, we’ve been known for somehow figuring out decent trades to get out of the bad contracts we kept signing
Also we’ve only been tanking the last three years (aka since we replaced our front office we’d had for 2+ decades with a new group led by former OKC guys). Before that we were just failing at building a competitive roster
Or AD was never available. Dawkins is a huge fan of AD. Traded for him for nothing pretty much. Dallas gave him away. AD will be playing in DC and Dawkins will probably offer him the max before the season even starts. I believe he is eligible for a new extension in August.
It was fun to think about for a day or so. But the odds of the oldheads being healthy for all of the postseason (which is what it would take to compete for a title) was basically zero
Same if you stand pat tho. What would warriors need to give up?
Multiple FRPs. I wouldn’t do it either unless LeBron guarantees he’ll sign with GSW and the Warriors can grab another bench wing scorer like DeRozan.
I can see why Dunleavy isn’t gung ho about sending a trove of picks for AD but running it back with the same squad is likely a play in team at best. GSW needs to either go all in or make a move to rebuild, the last 3 years of fence sitting is ridiculous.
Who carrying in regular season to not be in play in?
Obviously we have no clue what the warriors are offering, but I would jump on any deal that has unprotected 1sts if I’m the Wizards.
The Wizards have all the leverage, so I think it’s a power play waiting game. Of course, they’ll get nothing for AD if LeBron goes somewhere else.
Exactly, like this might be the last time AD has real trade value. And your core is super young, this is a gift.
For most teams that would be true, but the Wizards ownership/FO is desperate to finally turn the corner and play some competitive basketball. They haven’t made the playoffs in 6 years and haven’t finished above the 8th seed in 10. The brand is absolutely moribund in the DC area, a distant 4th behind the Commanders, Nats, and Caps (with the United/Spirit quite popular as well). Attendance is dismal and they’re close to entirely losing a generation of fans who haven’t had a real star to root for since trading Wall.
So yeah, moving AD’s contract for some juicy picks sounds nice, but they’d have to have another win-now trade lined up since the current FO doesn’t benefit from assets in 2031 or whatever.
Would they wanna try a win-now mode with unproven team chemistry in today’s league? We have seen that just stacking talent doesnt work as is. If they happen to suck bad at the start, AD gets a a negative buff and starts DNP-ing again.
I think it’s less win-now and more just taking the steps to being competitive again. I think all Wizards fans are on the same page that there’s no problem if we end up keeping AD so long as there’s no long term extension.
You’re not wrong at all because that is the reality of what they have been signaling. But if there’s going to be an energy around the Wizards, it’s gotta be because of Dybansta.
Not to be overly dramatic but now is when you build your war chest for when you’re a real competitive team a few years from now and need to make moves that’ll make you a real contender.
Great point about dybantsa and banking on being competitive in a couple years and really needing draft picks when extensions kick in. Not even trying to be snarky but building fan excitement around AD is setting the team up to fail when he only plays 30 games this year. Unless they think they have his health figured out (doubtful).
We dont know what the warriors were offering. Based on how quickly the Wizards shot things down, it sounds like the package was probably JB and peanuts.
It’s obviously going to have to include a FRP with Jimmy being injured. But Jimmy also expires. AD does not. I think the holdout would be a few things.
Washington wants 2 FRPs or they want Yaxel (who the Warriors don’t want to part with) and the Warriors are only willing to include 1 FRP.
Warriors have no interest in making this trade without knowing LeBron is coming. Jimmy is better than AD. But LeBron + AD is better than Jimmy.
So…
If health is equal, not sure if the recent version of Jimmy is better than AD.
If 2 FRP picks is all it takes for this trade, MDJ should be on the phone to make it happen (assuming LeBron agrees to sign here).
They traded for AD and Trae. Then they paid Trae a crazy contract. I think they genuinely want to try to win. Especially in this new lottery rules era. I think the Warriors would have to overpay to get him. Which is why it is likely dead. But I don’t think the Wizards feel like they are losing anything.
They more than want to win. They have a good roster.
The Wizards three best players were not on the team most of last year and played 5 games total. They played 26 different players last year trying to lose.
I’ve seen some reporting where the wizards made clear that ad was not on the market, which I hate. At least kick the god damn tires and see if gs gives a godfather offer!
Obviously everyone has a price. If GS gave us a godfather offer I’m sure they would take it. AD at this stage is not “untouchable”
And this could clearly be a sign that they want GS to overpay.
Reporting in this situation means very little or the opposite of what you’re reading. Everyone is for sale at the right price.
Ad and AJ for 3 UFRPs.
I know what you meant, I just wanted to be that guy.
I think Chams and everyone else is full of shit and have not had anything but guesses all off season.
Or they have known all along he’s going to Cleveland and need to continue farming views…
LeAttention seeker
LeContent
His fit with Cleveland is arse. Jason Timpf laid it out perfectly.
Two high usage guards who are only effective when they have the ball in their hands? Doubt Lebron would wanna be someone waiting in the three point area to shoot. Kenny Atkinson is also a coach he probably wouldnt really listen to.
I think this is the case.
It just makes too much sense. The Cavs made the ECF last year so it’s not like they’re not a contender, the Lebron to CLE smoke started last year, and if he is going to do a farewell tour in the next year or two why would it not be with Cleveland?
This would’ve had strong Barkley signing with Houston to team up with Olajuwon and Drexler vibes to it.
Gary Payton and Karl Malone with Kobe and Shaq
Mavs let him go for scraps when they couldve fleeced gsw in the offseason
That’s what you should say if the Warriors actually do overpay for AD. I don’t see them giving up more than 1 FRP.
It wasn’t even this time last week we were pretty confident he was headed there. The longer this plays out the less likely he will go to GS
I can’t remember the last time we were mentioned in a trade rumor that actually went thru.
Yeah Shams I think we figured that by now. He’ll be a Cavalier again.
What a terrible plan lol
I mean idk what else they could possibly do. There’s no other real way they could be a serious contender for the rest of Curry’s career
Plan B: The Podz takeover
Y’all can clown on it as much as you want, but I for one appreciate that the team was at trying to surround Steph with a competent team for his last chapter. We frankly don’t have all that many levers to pull… so taking big swings like this is the right thing to do. Yeah it didn’t work out, but I’m glad we tried. Not gonna let anyone gaslight into thinking otherwise
I agree.
If I had a long term star, UNLESS he asked to be traded, you should be trying every year.
Rather watch games with Curry and the team trying. Even if its the 9th seed. That is still seeing 40 games your legend gets to win. Journey Before Destination.
We’d be a lethal 11-6 if they all played together next season
LeBron to Wizards?
I doubt it, our team is stacked with talent at every position.
Good point
The Eastern Conference is going to be very Sarr-y
You’re a Wizard LeHarry.
Isn’t Shams a Klutch client?
Clearly doing Rich Paul’s bidding here lol
Lots of Klutch bs going on, the moment I see it’s a Klutch minion, I don’t even bother reading.
Damn AD getting the “can my one buddy come too, he’s cool I promise” treatment
Sounds like a great leverage opportunity for WAS but with them extending Trae, I don’t see what reason they have to get worse this year.
He could also walk next off season for nothing if he declines the player option. Very possible he is moved before Feb if he doesn’t want to be a Wizard.
Sure he could walk for nothing, but the Wiz 2027 guarantees are right at the cap (not tax) line. That would give the Wiz $62M below the cap to work with next summer through trades and free agency.
With teams still navigating the CBA and desperate to avoid the aprons Washington would be well positioned to replace AD to go with their young squad along with a full complement of draft picks.
Agree they are in a better spot than they have been for years. I still fully believe they will trade him before Feb 2027 if he doesnt want to be on the team moving forward.
TBH the only way AD and Klutch get to a new team is through a trade. Which contending team has $50-70M per year in cap space to sign him in FA. That is why these suggestions that he will just walk out and the Wiz will get nothing are cray.
Especially since Jokic hasn’t signed an extension. It sounds crazy, but it is possible even if unlikely. There is a lot that is going to happen next summer. Wizards should be in a good place regardless of what AD decides to do.
Warriors haters really getting their pound of flesh for the Durant era with us utterly unable to land a free agent of consequence since. The most consequential signing I can think of since 2019 is Otto Porter, who was big in ‘22. but you don’t really want that to be your most consequential signing in 7 years
Fair point but Durant helped bring 2 rings right?
oh yeah i’m not complaining it’s our time to pay the piper
If OPJ is your baseline of FA of consequence, it’s a short list since KD’s departure. OPJ wasn’t a premier signing either but the Warriors have only had 2 real “big” FA signings since KD left (D’Lo and Horford).
TL;DR: I agree that the Warriors have sucked at FA since KD left.
Did they actually think that, or is this their CYA for why they’re not going to get Lebron? If your grand scheme is dependant on trading for a particular player, it seems like they would need to know if that player is available.
The warriors leak today reeks of they’re fine with LeBron on a cheap deal but they won’t go for above anything
It could be they got played by the wizards?
So probably the Cavs then
Wizards being the downfall of the warriors even before the season starts is quite something.
Did LeBron and the Warriors ever check with Washington to see if they wanted to get rid of Davis or not? Like this seemed to be a dream until one single Washington report where they were like “Yeah that’s cool but we don’t want to do that.” Does LeBron and AD still think they have so much power and leverage that they could just force him out again?
I’n thinking this is more of an AD/Klutch negotiations with the Wizards than LeBron going to GS. Either trade him now get something in return, lose him in FA for nothing, or extend him.
I want LeBron to go full villain and join the warriors
Warriors really choosing Yaxel over AD and LeBron lol
It’s really AD thats a big wrench in all this.
How he thinks he’s worth a max at 33 while being made of glass and not playing a seasons worth of games in the last three seasons combined is beyond me.
Tell that to fucking kalshi
Booorrrinng
Cavs, Heat, Sixers, Warriors, Nuggets… I don’t think any of those teams become favorites over the big 3 just by adding LeBron.
He’s probably not winning another championship regardless, so why not just give us something we’ll never see again? LeBron with Jokic or Curry would be way more compelling than another awkward fit on a second-tier contender.
I don’t think the Cavs or Sixers would be second tier with LeBron. He basically fixes all the main weaknesses on either team. Especially the Sixers.
Yes, more hearsay. Excellent.
Just go there. They got a unicorn already
Lebron to the Wizards then
The Warriors FO have been fumbling a lot for the past several seasons now.
One thing is for certain, LeBron wants to play with a good center/big men. That means Miami or Philly would be the best bets.
Not sure about the T wolves at this point.
Warriors gotta pony up the unprotected picks.
i mean if butler isn’t completely washed, that’s not a horrific team with lebron added
????
The supposed plan was to trade Butler for AD (why Wizards would do it, don’t ask me) and then get LeBron.
I’m just saying if they can’t get AD, those 4 is still decent
Benefit would be similar for the Celtics trading JB, they most likely don’t want to offer AD an extension especially if he wants a max so might as well trade him for a shorter contract (butler has 1 year less) + picks. I guess that would be the rationale.
Translation: warriors want to lower Washington’s asking price for ad so are pretending like they’re moving on
Yeah, because even paying the remainder of Anthony Davis’ current contract is crazy enough, nevermind extending off it immediately, as his agent, Rich Paul, is laughably demanding. No thanks.
So you think AD is just going to retire ? Of course he wants an extension , like every eligible player in the league . Would be weird if he didn’t ?
I really wonder if Steph Curry is just planning on playing a few more seasons on a mediocre team. If he’s not going to be competing in the playoffs wouldn’t he rather be playing golf?
I’m not gonna lie AD and Draymond on the same team is like a Temu version of Giannis and Bam at this point. Both provide horrible spacing but at least Giannis and Bam are younger and more athletic.
¡Bienvenido a Miami!
Lebron fucking loves AD, which is funny because I’d assume he’d get frustrated with how much time he spends injured, but I guess that’s not really AD’s fault?