Latest Warriors NBA free agency rumors are bad news for LeBron James’ pursuit originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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All eyes are on the Golden State Warriors this summer, as the franchise needs to make some major moves to get back into title contention with Steph Curry entering the twilight years of his storied career.
Golden State’s primary focus since the start of NBA free agency has been landing LeBron James, who will play elsewhere this upcoming season after informing the Los Angeles Lakersthat he is leaving.
The Warriors were considered the favorites to sign James before free agency. However, James is receiving interest from a plethora of teams, which has led to questions about what his decision will actually be.
Latest Warriors rumors aren’t great news for LeBron James’ pursuit
On Thursday, Warriors ESPN reporter Anthony Slater stated on NBA Live that Golden State doesn’t believe they are at the top of James’ short list of desired landing spots.
Slater adds that the Warriors could still make a trade to lure James to the Bay Area, but Golden State’s confidence in landing the future Hall of Famer has definitely diminished.
“I’m hearing a growing belief from them that they don’t believe that they’re necessarily at the top of that short list,” Slater said.
Slater would then go on to add in an ESPN article that the Warriors are content with running it back with pretty much the same team they had last year if the franchise can’t come to terms with James or make a significant move.
“The Warriors, team sources said, very much believe they’re still in the mix for James but still have been given no indication they’re any type of front-runner,” Slater wrote. “James’ agent, Rich Paul, is taking pitches from a handful of interested teams, and the expectation is James will take time before deciding.”
“The Warriors would seem to have the contract-matching flexibility and first-round draft picks to execute such a move, though there remain continued signs that the front office is content if they have to run it back with mostly the same roster,” Slater added.
There is a lot to digest here for the Warriors. Golden State has the assets to pull off a move for a valuable, game-changing player, even if it doesn’t end up being LeBron. However, it also sounds like general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. is open to giving this current roster another shot, this time with a fully healthy Kristaps Porziņģis, a polished rookie wing in Yaxel Lendeborg, and other role players returning.
If the Warriors decide to run it back without acquiring more talent, it would be an absolute travesty. The organization owes it to Curry to build a contender and put together a team capable of at least making some noise in the West. As of right now, this Golden State squad is a play-in caliber team, and we’re headed towards another wasted year for the Warriors as Curry enters the final stages of his career.
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