The Warriors’ decision to bring back Kristaps Porzingis already looks like a smart gamble. It looks even sharper if Golden State can somehow add LeBron James in free agency.
Right now, with Jimmy Butler sidelined while he recovers from a torn ACL, the Warriors are leaning on Porzingis in a way that comes with obvious risk. His own injury history makes that a shaky setup. James would change the equation by easing that burden and turning Porzingis into more of a supporting piece, much like he was during his two seasons with the Boston Celtics.
That matters because, without Butler, Porzingis currently projects as the team’s No. 2 scoring option. For a roster that finished 19th in scoring last season, that’s a lot to ask from a 38-year-old Stephen Curry and an injury-prone Porzingis.
Bringing in a 41-year-old James would only make Golden State older, but it would also push Porzingis down to the third option. That would give the Warriors more flexibility to survive the stretches when he’s unavailable, which has to be part of the plan with him.
It would also lower the pressure when he is on the floor. Instead of needing Porzingis to pump in 25 to 30 points night after night, Golden State could get by with 16 to 18 and still have a real chance to win.
At this point in his career, Porzingis makes the most sense as a luxury piece, not the kind of player a contender has to build around. That’s the challenge for the Warriors - and the reason James would make the move fit much better.
The ideal version of this for Golden State is the 2023-24 Porzingis, when he was the Celtics’ third-leading scorer behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He played 57 games, averaged nearly 30 minutes, and put up 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks while shooting 51.6% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range.
Even that may be asking a lot given the uncertainty around Porzingis’ health. It may be more of a best-case scenario than a realistic expectation, assuming Rick Celelbrini and the medical staff can work their magic.
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Anderson said the whole thing began with Thompson in a black SUV, then turned into an invitation into the celebration itself, with Anderson and his brother suddenly part of the scene. The detail that really sells it, though, is the one only Klay could provide: Thompson was close enough to be touched, and his hat was still wet with champagne. It is the sort of small, weirdly specific memory that makes the story feel less like a celebrity anecdote and more like a perfectly Klay moment that still hasnt lost its shine. [Read more 🡒]