LeBron James trade rumors involving the Warriors have been shut down by 1 report

In most cases, I’d say we should take the report that an NBA superstar is mostly happy with his current struggling team with a grain of salt. As we know, in this league, the best players can say one thing and completely change their position weeks later because they hold most of the power and leverage.

But when ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports that LeBron James really wants to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers instead of being traded to the Golden State Warriors, I think we have to believe all parties involved.

This situation is a little different from your standard “star looking for greener pastures” story.

During Wednesday morning’s episode of Get upWindhorst maintains this weather The Warriors are still interested in pairing James with Steph Currythis interest is not mutual. In fact, as Windhorst surmised, everything about James’s actions – from rejection the original Warriors trade study to signing a new three-year contract with a no-trade clause – making it clear he wants to remain a Laker in the twilight of his storied career.

The report and the argument make perfect sense. Windhorst’s monologue about James potentially joining the Warriors begins at :42 seconds below:

Jimmy Butler and LeBron James are two stars on the Warriors’ radar @windhorstespn 👀

Can you see any of them playing in Golden State? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/qrInvrqZiE

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 11, 2024

All of those sentiments tie in with how you’d think someone like James would approach the likely end of his extended career. He will be 40 by the end of 2024. He has his MVPs. He has his championships. He has his records. He has it all “I shared the court with my son” something.

Everything else from a basketball perspective is now gravy.

While it would be cool to form a legendary duo with a similarly older Curry as they chase another title together, James is at the point of his career when he’s living it up in sunny Los Angeles with his family. So, of course, he’d rather try to compete with the Lakers as a credible championship contender. It does not take away any aspect of his present life. He’s probably not as motivated as he used to be to add more trophies to his collection. If the Lakers can’t help James win, well, he’s probably at peace with all he’s accomplished. And rightfully so.

James is past the point of rocking the boat with a personal trade or free agency drama. Sorry folks. The best clips you’ll ever get of James and Curry lighting up opposing teams together are probably from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Enjoy these highlights while you can.