With the Warriors sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference and holding onto the final play-in position, the team reportedly inquired about a potential blockbuster trade at the deadline that would have sent shockwaves across the league.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne, Warriors owner Joe Lacob reached out to Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to see if four-time league MVP LeBron James may be available in a trade.
Via ESPN:
Buss told Lacob the Lakers had no desire to trade James, but that he would need to seek the answer on James’ state of mind from his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, sources said. As an owner, Buss has operated with the mindset that she wants her star players content with the franchise, and that instructed her thinking on referring Warriors leadership to James’ representation, sources said.
If the Lakers ever wanted a temperature check on James’ commitment, here was his chance. In the end, the answer was returned resoundingly on the eve of the trade deadline: Rich Paul told Lacob and Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., that James had no interest in a trade and wanted to remain a Laker, sources said. When Dunleavy reached out to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka in those pretrade deadline hours, Dunleavy had been told the same: The Lakers wanted to keep James, sources said.
Here’s what fans are saying about the monumental trade that never came to pass:
Mike musta saw this and inquired 😂😂 https://t.co/l3sr2pOo12 pic.twitter.com/OATdGxazd0
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) February 14, 2024
The Lakers, nor LeBron, never took this particularly seriously, but I do think it’s worth noting that the vultures are swirling. https://t.co/OjcGbYSnD5
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) February 14, 2024
Warriors and Lakers owners talking about a LeBron James trade reminds me of the legendary story about the Yankees and Red Sox owners getting drunk (maybe?) and agreeing to trade Joe DiMaggio for Ted Williams. Legend goes that the next morning, the parties thought better of it.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 14, 2024
Warriors ownership tried to bring Bron to the bay…
This summer gonna be crazy man. When Bron opt out… this app gone go crazy man.
— OG Slim (@Jody_McFly) February 14, 2024
Most notable part of the story though: LeBron remains committed to returning to the Lakers in the offseason. https://t.co/VPTnChrJxP pic.twitter.com/GyqbCYdZJa
— Nicole Ganglani (@nicoleganglani) February 14, 2024
No wonder Klay Thompson started saying, “I’m willing to do anything to help us win.” they was getting ready to throw him in the deal for LeBron.
— Colb (@___Colb___) February 14, 2024
Lakers are 5-1 since LeBron tweeted this pic.twitter.com/qkAyR5Zdgt
— BronMuse (@BronMuse) February 14, 2024
WHAT? WARRIORS (AND SIXERS) TRIED TO TRADE FOR LEBRON — AND HE SAID NO??? NOW ON @undisputed
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 14, 2024
warriors players who would have been matching salary in a lebron trade seeing that draymond was driving the lbj-to-gsw bus https://t.co/9O5L78caAA pic.twitter.com/c59zzPGSOm
— Dan Favale (@danfavale) February 14, 2024
Daryl Morey trying to trade for LeBron and Durant makes a lot more sense when you remember that 12 years ago he called OKC and got their 3rd best player from an NBA Finals run for just Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and 2 first round picks.
— Daniel Olinger (@dan_olinger) February 14, 2024
Not prepared for a Summer full of Lebron to the Warriors rumors https://t.co/BkGBn5hi0j
— Steven Langford (@langfordkcbs) February 14, 2024
