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Brian Windhorst names the team that has a better shot of signing LeBron James than Cleveland
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- Brian Windhorst names the team that has a better shot of signing LeBron James than Cleveland
Despite all the hype of the NBA Finals, the NBA world is also focused on the future of Los Angeles Lakers veteran superstar LeBron James . Facing unrestricted free agency, the four-time MVP's next move has sparked intense league-wide debate and speculation.
Prominent NBA insider Brian Windhorst recently weighed in on the unfolding saga. He offered a compelling reality check on the potential landing spots for King James should he decide to end his tenure witht Purple and Gold.
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According to Windhorst, a highly romanticized fairytale reunion with the Cavs makes poetic sense for obvious reasons but the reality of the situation points elsewhere. Instead, Windhorst could see LeBron joining the Golden State Warriors as a feasible outcome.
"If it doesn't work out with the Lakers, I'd watch the Warriors," Windhorst said Tuesday on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show." "I know that everybody loves the idea of LeBron in Cleveland , [but] Cleveland needs perimeter defense. It would be a great story. He would definitely help them, but Cleveland needs interior toughness and perimeter defense and LeBron can do some of that, but I don't know."
Money is always an issue in these scenarios
Another major roadblock Windhorst mentioned in James' idealistic return to Cleveland comes down to the salary. The insider noted that for LBJ to pull off a second Cavs comeback, he would essentially have to play for a mid-level exception worth "$3 million."
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Dismissing the notion that the NBA's all-time leading scorer would accept such a massive pay cut, Windhorst emphasized that the truth is money is always an issue in these types of situations, no matter how people want to believe that it's not.
"Also, that would require LeBron to play for three million bucks," Windhorst added. "If he wants to play for three million, he could do it, but until I hear from [James' agent] Rich Paul that LeBron is ready to play for three million, I'm not going to believe it."
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James' heart is close to Golden State
With the Cavs facing steep financial constraints and the Lakers holding only a tentative edge to retain James, Windhorst concluded that the Warriors are uniquely positioned as the best option to become Bron's next team, at least for now.
To further back his claim, Windhorst also mentioned the genuine and deep-rooted bond James shares with Steph Curry and Draymond Green as another huge factor in this very plausible move.
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"But, I'd watch Golden State. He played with Steph Curry and Steve Kerr on the Olympic team," Brian speculated. "We know he's close with Draymond Green. I still think it's the Lakers. I say 51 percent Lakers and then we'll see."
Adding fuel to Windhorst's forecast, recent reports indicate that the Dubs are already actively plotting a swoop for LeBron this summer. Sources even claim that Curry himself is planning to recruit James sooner rather than later.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jun 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
