NBA insider explains why rumors of LeBron James being traded to the Warriors were suppressed.

LeBron James might have been a Golden State Warrior in a another universe.

Longtime NBA insider Marc Stein said that the Lakers and Warriors were in preliminary discussions about trading for the 20-time All-Star.

Before James and Steph Curry teamed up to capture Olympic gold in Paris, the blockbuster move would have brought them together, but Rich Paul, James’ close friend and agent, reportedly put a halt to the negotiations before they could even begin, according to Stein.

“According to Stein’s Substack, if James had wanted the Lakers to seriously pursue a trade with Golden State before the trade deadline in February of last year, the Lakers would have reluctantly entertained trade talks with the Warriors.”

However, league sources claim that LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul was staunchly against the idea of his moving from Southern California to Northern California, which is why the alleged conversations between the teams at the time never progressed that far.

James’ decision to move north would have been huge news because it would have allowed Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green of the Warriors to compete for the championship one more time as a team. James is set to return to Los Angeles for the 2024–25 season, whereas Thompson is currently a player for Dallas.

Rich Paul reportedly pleaded with both teams to abandon the idea, mainly to shield James from any criticism for joining a different team for the fourth time in his career, according to Stein.

James is well-known for having moved from Cleveland to “take his talents to South Beach” in Miami, where he joined forces with Chris Bosch and Dwayne Wade to win many NBA titles.

When he eventually came back, he helped the Cavs win a championship in 2016, but in 2018, he moved out of his home state to join the Lakers.

The most well-known stories written by Brandon Champion
Parents are cautioned by the police not to share pictures of their kids on social media.
Previously won the Cup Series; arrested for driving while intoxicated
An uncle sent a lottery ticket to a 25-year-old Michigan woman, who won $300,000.
Former top center for Michigan State defense teams signs with Colts Hollywood celebrity to portray football icon John Madden in upcoming film