NBA Insider Believes Golden State Warriors ‘Will Remain in the Mix’ for LeBron James if He Leaves Los Angeles Lakers

NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line believes the Golden State Warriors “will remain in the mix” for LeBron James if he leaves the Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026 for the first time since 2018.

“I believe that the Warriors, who have shown an interest in acquiring LeBron James dating to the February 2024 trade deadline some 18 months ago, will remain in the mix if James ever does reach the point that he’s looking for a last hurrah elsewhere,” Stein wrote.

LeBron is friends with Warriors stars Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. As Stein wrote, Golden State tried to trade for the leading scorer in NBA history during the 2023-24 season.

Next season could be LeBron’s final campaign with the Lakers, who are building around Luka Doncic now. Los Angeles’ preferred scenario is for LeBron’s contract to drop off their books after next season, according to Stein.

LeBron faced the Warriors in four straight NBA Finals in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 during his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played for Golden State head coach Steve Kerr last summer on Team USA during the Paris Olympics.

Arguably the greatest player in NBA history, LeBron is expected to play for the Lakers next season and then evaluate his future in the summer of 2026. The future Hall of Famer could either retire or suit up for his 24th campaign.

The Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. Curry injured his left hamstring in Game 1 and missed the rest of the series.

Golden State is the only team not to make a move this offseason.

Meanwhile, LeBron and the Lakers lost to the Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 postseason in five games. Doncic recruited Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to the team, while Austin Reaves recruited Jake LaRavia.