The Golden State Warriors may have slipped in the LeBron James chase, but they just got a small opening that runs through Draymond Green.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, speaking with Stephen A. Smith on Tuesday, James and Green are expected to spend time together in the coming days. Both veterans are still unrestricted free agents, and that meeting gives Golden State at least one more swing at keeping its pitch alive.
That matters because Charania said the Warriors no longer look like one of James’ top three options. A week after James announced his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State had been viewed as the favorite. Now, the picture has changed.
Charania said James’ former teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, are still in the mix for a reunion. He also pointed to the Philadelphia 76ers as a serious contender after their blockbuster acquisition of Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.
“When the Sixers got Jaylen Brown I did some research and he (LeBron) is taking their pitch very seriously. When I talk to teams now I have a hierarchy of Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, and then some teams on the peripher al," Charania said.
For the Warriors, Green may be the last real connection point. Their early edge came after the former Defensive Player of the Year declined his $27.6 million player option and entered free agency.
There has been suggestions that Green could actually follow James to his next stop rather than return to the Warriors, but there's been no major reporting to state that's at all on the cards even though it's technically possible.
Golden State may also need more than a conversation between Green and James to stay in the race. Charania said the Warriors believe they cannot land James unless they also work out a trade for his former Lakers championship teammate Anthony Davis with the Washington Wizards.
Any deal for Davis would reportedly involve Jimmy Butler, draft capital and a possible contract extension for the 10x All-Star.
The Warriors’ optimism has cooled, and the road to James looks much steeper now. Still, there’s time for Green - and maybe Golden State - to try to change the direction of this chase.
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