$54.7 Million Sacrifice Will Bring LeBron James to Warriors as 2 More Options Eliminate No-Trade Clause Restrictions

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“I have no idea”. That was all that LeBron James said when asked if he and Stephen Curry would ever team up again. Two of the most renowned NBA players since the early 2010s, LeBron and Curry, have spent the better half of the last one-and-a-half decade building a professional, yet respectful, rivalry. For longtime NBA enthusiasts, nothing emerged as a more exciting prospect than when the Warriors and LeBron’s Cavaliers met in the Finals. However, after the duo teamed up during the 2024 Paris Olympics, the call for putting them in the same NBA team only increased. With this in mind, several analysts came together to discuss how the scenario could come to fruition in reality.

Earlier today, ESPN commentator Bobby Marks joined Steve Mason and John Ireland on another episode of ‘Mason & Ireland’. As the conversation progressed, the conversation shifted to discussing trade rumors. This compelled Mason to ask if he wanted LeBron James sent to the Warriors. After all, having devoted the entirety of his NBA career to the Warriors, Curry coming to the Lakers is unlikely. Marks replied that the Warriors would have to make quite a few valuable players a part of the deal. After all, matching LeBron’s Lakers salary would be one effective way to bring him in.

“Yeah, he’s the 26 million-guy” said Marks about Andrew Wiggins. Later on, he also added “And then you’re looking at, you know they’ve (Warriors) got a lot of expiring (contracts). Whether it be Gary Payton, whether it be Kuminga, whether it be Looney. Guys like that, they’ve got a lot of stuff to put in a deal. The hard part is, as I said, the Lakers can’t take back more money, Golden State can’t take back money. All right, so how do we get 48 match-up with 48? And then, how do we get another team involved? So, there’s yeah, there’s definitely different ways to do”.

For the 2024-25 season, the contracts for Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, De’Anthony Melton, and Kevon Looney cost the Warriors at least $54.7 million. Melton and Looney will become unrestricted free agents after this season, Kuminga will become a restricted free agent, and Wiggins’ contract will keep him with the team until the 2026-27 season. By using these players for a trade, the Bay Area franchise would open up enough money to fulfill, and build upon, the 2-year, $101.356 million contract under which the NBA All-Time Scorer is currently playing.

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An essential component of bringing the player in would be matching LeBron’s salary. Especially given the restrictions currently placed on both teams. According to Statmuse, the salary cap for the Golden State Warriors currently stands at $199.3 million. Similarly, the Lakers have their cap at $200.7 million. As a result, both teams are way above the luxury tax and apron limits that were established under the updated CBA Guidelines. Therefore, acquiring new players, without letting go of others, would only increase the financial burden on the teams. Through this speculative trade, as highlighted by the ESPN crew, incurring more fines and restrictions could be avoided.

Bobby Marks, Steve Mason, and John Ireland have certainly found one way to work around the no-trade clause. After all, the same was included as part of the contract that LeBron James signed earlier this year. However, if trading all 4 of the Warriors players is too big of a coat, then there are other methods that can be put to use.

LeBron James’ contract is set to expire at the end of next season, with a player option available. After that, he could become an unrestricted free agent. However, the player will be 41 when the contract expires. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether he would choose to continue playing in the NBA for another 2 years. In light of this, to make any trade scenario possible, the teams must reach a deal now.

If trading the players is not an option, then another way to acquire LeBron can be used. However, it would have to solely depend on the player. In fact, LeBron James would have to ask Jeanie Buss specifically for a trade. This would void the no-trade clause. After all, the player himself is asking to go to another team, instead of the team management sending him. While this would open the door for a trade, the Warriors would have to increase their financial burdens by spending more, and not letting go of other high-salaried players.

In light of this, the last option that can be pursued is involving a third team in the trade process. After all, such deals help maximize trade player exceptions generated. As highlighted by Bleacher Report journalist Erin Walsh, three-team deals are set to become more common under the updated CBA guidelines. Therefore, why not use it to create history?

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LeBron James’ tenure in the NBA may be just months’ worth now. While Curry may still have a few more years, the time is running out for him too. Therefore, any decisions that can be made, need to be made quickly.