The Golden State Warriors are considering how to best to improve the roster this summer, and a high-stakes trade agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers for LeBron James could be the best way to actually do it.
Golden State just watched center Kevon Looney walk in free agency, joining the New Orleans Pelicans on two-year deal worth $16 million.
“Free agent center Kevon Looney has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN,” Charania posted to X. “Life Sports Agency CEO Todd Ramasar and the Pelicans reached a deal tonight for the three-time NBA champion who departs Golden State after 10 years.”
The Warriors hope to replace Looney with Al Horford, most recently of the Boston Celtics, per a report from Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line on Monday, June 30.
“Al Horford is a top target for Golden State, league sources tell @JakeLFischer and me,” Stein posted to X.
Horford, even at 39 years old, is an upgrade over Looney — particularly given what the Warriors need offensively and defensively. Horford is a far rangier defender and a much better floor spacer. He finished last season averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and o.9 blocks per game and shot 36.3% from behind the 3-point arc on more than five attempts per night.
If the Warriors can lock Horford up, which appears to be the consensus among insiders as of Monday night, the next consideration is how to keep Jonathan Kuminga as an asset until at least the February trade deadline and improve the roster around Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in the interim.
A trade with the Lakers could theoretically accomplish both.
Trading for LeBron James, Bronny James Would Allow Warriors to Re-Sign Jonathan Kuminga
GettyBronny James (left) and LeBron James (right) of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kevin Pelton of ESPN explained on Monday how a trade between Los Angeles and Golden State, which involves LeBron James and Bronny James as well as Jimmy Butler, could work after LeBron James decided to opt into his $52.6 million contract in 2025-26 rather than hit free agency.
A sign-and-trade would be possible if James were to decline his option, but that possibility is complicated by the fact that a team receiving a player via sign-and-trade is automatically hard-capped at the lower luxury-tax apron, limiting its moves to build out the roster. An opt-in and trade isn’t subject to the same restrictions.
For example, hypothetically the Golden State Warriors could now trade Jimmy Butler III (starting a max extension) to the Lakers for [LeBron] James and Bronny James and neither team would face a hard cap of any kind, allowing the Warriors to re-sign restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
Jimmy Butler’s Salary Matches Almost Perfectly With Those of LeBron James, Bronny James
Getty Jimmy Butler III of the Golden State Warriors.
Bronny James wouldn’t be a crucial piece to the deal, though his exceptional run in the G League with the South Bay Lakers during his rookie campaign in 2024-25 is indicative of a player who could eventually crack a rotation and become a significant contributor to an NBA team.
But in this case, his inclusion would be about making the money work and potentially keeping LeBron James happy if he wanted his son with him for the swan song of his career.
LeBron James’ contract coupled with Bronny James’ approximately $2 million in 2025 are close enough to Butler’s $54.1 million to make the money line up. Butler could join Luka Doncic in Los Angeles, while James could join his friends Curry and Green in Northern California.
Kuminga may have a bigger role in Butler’s absence and decide he’s happy in Golden State. If not, the Warriors could look to upgrade the roster further around the new Big 3 — and potentially Horford as well — via trading Kuminga ahead of the deadline.
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