The Golden State Warriors’ offseason is still unfolding with Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency yet to be resolved, but that hasn’t stopped the steady stream of trade rumors surrounding the franchise.
While the squad waits to conclude deals with veterans such as Al Horford and Gary Payton II, speculation has centered on blockbuster pursuits and potential roster tweaks.
Warriors’ persistent interest in LeBron James
One of the more eye-catching reports involves Golden State’s attempts to lure LeBron James away from the Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors reportedly explored this possibility as far back as last season’s trade deadline, but the plan stalled after LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, dismissed the idea.
According to league chatter, Golden State’s interest did not end there. “I’m told that the Warriors have called the Lakers on multiple occasions over the past 18 months to see whether there is any trade pathway to pairing James with Stephen Curry, who roughly a year ago at this time was teaming with LeBron for the United States senior men’s national team on its run to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.”
Owner Joe Lacob is said to be the driving force behind these overtures, having even reached out directly to Lakers owner Jeanie Buss in the past. However, LeBron’s decision to exercise his $52.6 million player option for the upcoming season makes a trade highly unlikely. The financial gymnastics required to accommodate his contract under league salary cap rules would be extremely complicated, even in multi-team scenarios. Should James eventually depart Los Angeles, the most plausible pathway would be through free agency next summer or a sign-and-trade arrangement.
Trey Murphy III on Warriors’ radar
Golden State has also expressed interest in New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III. The 23-year-old wing has drawn attention from multiple teams, including the San Antonio Spurs. Murphy averaged 21.2 points and 5.1 rebounds last season but was limited to 53 games because of a shoulder injury.
His new four-year, $112 million contract begins this season, with a $25 million salary in the opening year. Despite questions about his durability, Murphy’s ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions makes him a valuable target for teams looking to bolster their wings.
No movement on Hield or Moody
Although the Warriors are exploring trade options, they are not entertaining deals that would cost them their proven shooters. “Sources tell The Stein Line, furthermore, that Golden State has refused this summer to even entertain sign-and-trade scenarios that would require it to surrender either Buddy Hield or Moses Moody because of the limited options currently on the roster in terms of proven shooters not named Curry.”
Hield, a consistent presence who played all 82 games last season, averaged 11.1 points and hit 37 percent from three-point range. Moody, meanwhile, appeared in 74 games and posted 9.8 points per contest while also shooting 37.4 percent from deep. Both are expected to have larger roles in the coming season, reinforcing Golden State’s decision to keep them.
Looking ahead
For now, the Warriors remain focused on resolving Kuminga’s contract situation and finalizing veteran signings. Still, the ongoing rumors highlight a front office exploring bold ideas while keeping its core shooting assets intact. Whether or not the dream of pairing Curry and LeBron ever materializes, Golden State appears committed to reshaping its roster with an eye toward both present contention and future flexibility.
Pic Credit (Screen grab: YouTube The Roger Report)
