Warriors Could Have Interesting Plan B If They Don’t Sign LeBron James

One player every team in the NBA is monitoring in this free agency is LeBron James. LeBron and his camp informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he intends to play elsewhere in 2026-2027, and one team that could be in the mix to sign him is the Golden State Warriors. 

LeBron has stated in the past that he'd like to play with Stephen Curry one day, and a move to the Bay Area could be possible this summer. Golden State may have to make moves to make way for James, which makes the situation more complex. 

The Warriors' front office understands that they may have to jump through hurdles to sign the NBA's all-time leading scorer, and if they can't land James, they may have to pivot and pursue someone else. NBA insider Jake Fischer recently said that the Warriors could be in play to sign DeMar DeRozan if they don't land James. 

Fischer describes DeRozan's situation as one that "will be a ripple effect of what happens with LeBron James." DeRozan plays the same position as LeBron and can bring a lot of offensive production to whatever team signs him. 

DeRozan is coming off a season with Sacramento in which he averaged just over 21 points per game, and that could be something the Warriors are targeting this offseason, especially with Jimmy Butler III expected to miss time coming back from his torn ACL. 

Jake Fischer also mentioned that DeRozan is expected to be given the veteran minimum when a team signs him, as there won't be much of a market for him to get anything higher than that. This could help out the Warriors with their salary cap as they have a lot of big contracts on the roster. 

A bulk of the Warriors' salary cap is given to Butler and Moses Moody alone, who are expected to miss time next season, and a cheap replacement could help them pick up where they left off and make an attempt to get back in the postseason. 

There could be mutual interest here as well. DeRozan is from California and may not want to play too far away from home, and he also has a chance to play with one of the best NBA players of this generation in Stephen Curry.

Both sides could benefit from a short-term deal, as Golden State could enter a new era in its franchise after this season.