Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James made a mistake by turning down Warriors

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 2/14/24

The Golden State Warriors had interest in acquiring LeBron James at the trade deadline. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski , Draymond Green tried to tempt his long-time friend via their mutual agent, Rich Paul. However, LeBron made it clear that he had no interest in leaving the Lakers.

"The answer was returned resoundingly on the eve of the trade deadline: 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," Wojnarowski reported. "...Earlier Wednesday, Green -- whom Paul also represents at Klutch -- had sent Paul a text message soliciting his help in convincing James to join him in Golden State, sources said."

ESPN Story with @RamonaShelburne: Over a 24-hour window prior to trade deadline that included owner to owner conversations, the Warriors made an unsuccessful bid to convince the Lakers and LeBron James to consider a trade to pair him with Stephen Curry. https://t.co/L14os5gTGp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 14, 2024

LeBron has a reputation for honoring his contracts. He sticks to his word and then navigates to a new spot once he's free to do so. The way LeBron has honored his commitments to teams throughout his career has been admirable.

Time is ticking on LeBron's chance to win a championship. Teaming up with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green likely would have given him a better shot to push for another ring this season. If the Warriors had also kept Klay Thompson in a potential trade, LeBron would have the best spacing of his entire career.

Instead, LeBron will need to hope the Lakers' current roster is up to the task of competing in the Western Conference. They made it to the conference finals last season. However, the Lakers' struggles this year have cast significant doubt about their ability to repeat those playoff performances.

If LeBron wanted to guarantee another shot at a championship, he should have taken the opportunity to move to San Francisco. Instead, he chose to honor his contract. With a player option at the end of the season, he could choose to switch teams in the summer.

However, when you consider how his family is settled in the area, and his career is winding down, it's unlikely we see LeBron jump ship. Outside of a potential 10-day deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers at the end of his tenure in the league, LeBron looks set to remain a Laker, both now and in the future.

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