The Golden State Warriors may be heading into the late summer with a LeBron James-sized question still hanging over them, but the latest read on the situation suggests they’re not exactly feeling great about their odds.
Golden State has been linked to James since free agency opened, with the idea of pairing him with Steph Curry and Draymond Green gaining real traction. But according to ESPN insider Marc Spears, the Warriors now sound more like a long shot than a front-runner.
“I'm kind of hearing today that the Warriors internally kind of feel like they're a dark horse at this point, that LeBron James is probably going out east,” Spears said.
If that door closes, CBS Sports’ Robby Kalland believes the Warriors could pivot quickly to another big-name veteran: DeMar DeRozan.
“Because they have the mid-level to offer, the Warriors feel like the most likely landing spot for DeRozan if they miss out on James. They need another player who can create for himself. And while DeRozan doesn't raise the ceiling the same way James does, he would help them raise their floor,” Kalland wrote.
DeRozan is on the market after his run with the Sacramento Kings ended in a release. ESPN reported that the Kings waived the six-time All-Star on Monday after the team couldn’t find a trade partner, and the two sides worked out the move so he could look for a new home. Sacramento had a partial guarantee on his contract for next season, and multiple contenders are expected to show interest.
“The Sacramento Kings have waived DeMar DeRozan, the team announced Monday, making the six-time All-Star one of the top free agents on the market. DeRozan had a partial guarantee on his contract for next season, but he and Sacramento worked on his release to allow him to find a new home. Multiple contenders are expected to have interest in the veteran guard,” ESPN wrote.
For Golden State, the fit is pretty clear. Jimmy Butler’s injury concerns have left the Warriors in need of a veteran wing, and DeRozan would give them another proven scorer who can get his own shot. He doesn’t bring elite defense, but alongside Curry, that kind of shot-making still carries real value.
The Warriors know exactly what DeRozan offers, which is why he looks like a strong fallback if James ends up elsewhere. If the biggest swing doesn’t land, Golden State could still come away with a future Hall of Famer and a six-time All-Star who fits a clear need.
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DeRozan, who is 36 and has not indicated any interest in calling it a career, should still draw attention once teams start sorting through their summer plans. His next deal is expected to land in the mid-level range, which keeps him in play for clubs that want proven offense without a top-dollar commitment, and it will be worth watching whether a contender sees him as a starter, a veteran spark, or something in between. [Read more 🡒]