According to NBA insider Baxter Holmes of ESPN, Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob wanted to acquire LeBron James from the Los Angeles Lakers at this year’s trade deadline.
Lacob, in consultation with Draymond Green, inquired about trading for LeBron, who has the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group) as Green.
“I’m not going to comment on something I can’t comment on, but, in general, I just want to win,” Lacob said. “We just want to win. We want to be the best, and we’re going to try whatever tactic it takes to get there. I am not here to screw around. We are not here to screw around. We are not here to be just ‘some team.’ We’re not going to do that. We may fail. Everyone fails. We may fail occasionally, but it will not be for lack of trying.”
LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers worth $51.4 million. If LeBron becomes a free agent, the Warriors will pursue him again, a source told Hoops Wire.
The Lakers and Warriors are ninth and 10th, respectively, in the Western Conference standings. Both teams have had disappointing seasons thus far, which is why Lacob tried to make a blockbuster trade for LeBron.
A 20-time All-Star, LeBron is averaging 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists this season for the Lakers while shooting 52.0% from the field, 39.5% from 3 and 74.1% from the free-throw line. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has 16 double-doubles and three triple-doubles in 49 games.
The Warriors host the Lakers tonight (2/22). LeBron will not play due to a left ankle injury.
According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN, LeBron hopes the treatment he had on his left ankle will enable him to finish the season stronger.
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