Following the NBA trade deadline on February 8th, there were reports that the Warriors had made an attempt to acquire Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. The report surfaced just before the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, where James discussed the rumor with the TNT’s “Inside the NBA” panel, which includes Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal.
James mentioned that he only heard about the potential trade when the reports were made public. He emphasized that conversations often happen behind closed doors in the league, and players are not always aware of them until they are brought to their attention. He confirmed that the news of the trade attempt was a surprise to him.
Golden State guard Steph Curry also addressed the rumors, expressing his surprise at the news. He acknowledged that teams often make calls to explore potential trades, and that it’s normal for such conversations to take place behind the scenes.
The idea of LeBron James joining the Warriors seemed far-fetched, given the intense rivalry that has existed between James and the Warriors over the years. However, Warriors owner Joe Lacob revealed that the team is always looking for ways to improve and is open to exploring all possibilities. He cited the example of the aggressive move to acquire Kevin Durant in the past, which significantly improved the team.
While both Curry and James seemed skeptical about the trade rumors, it is clear that Lacob is not afraid to pursue opportunities that could benefit the Warriors. The team remains committed to seeking ways to enhance its roster and improve its performance.
