Dubs Talk: What's next for Warriors after LeBron James reveals Lakers departure
On "Dubs Talk," Bonta Hill, Monte Poole and Dalton Johnson analyze the latest news around LeBron James and the Warriors as NBA free agency opens.
Dubs Talk: What's next for Warriors after LeBron James reveals Lakers departure originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
Big domino to drop today was that LeBron James, who we all assumed before free agency he would return to the LA Lakers, he told the Lakers, "Bye bye, I'm out."
He's not playing for the Lakeshow and Luka Doni any longer.
He will take his talents elsewhere.
And obviously there's a lot of smoke around the Golden State Warriors in maybe acquiring LeBron James for the mid-level exception.
We know Draymond has opted out of his $27 million option.
So what does, what does that all mean for the Golden State Warriors?
I'll start with you, OG.
Monte, LeBron James, by this time next week, will he be a member of the Golden State Warriors?
Very possible.
I, I would almost say likely because the Warriors have been the first team to strike.
When Draymond opted out, that was a strike right there.
That's him saying, "Okay, you know what?
We gotta give ourselves a little bit of room here, some flexibility to go after my guy," one of his best friends, LeBron James.
And so, other teams are circling now that LeBron has made it clear he wants to get out of LA.
Other teams are circling.
You can look at the Cavaliers, and obviously there's a sentimental connection there.
You can look at even Miami and, you know, just got Giannis, and they would be willing to, you know, figure out a way to get LeBron too.
But the Warriors are a team that LeBron has sort of He has a great admiration for and great respect for and great appreciation for.
He has said on the pa- in the past that, "Hey, playing with Steph would be nice.
Playing with Steph would be nice."
He also, respects Steve Kerr, having played under him, in international play.
And as we know, Draymond is one of his tight buddies.
So, by Draymond opting out, that gave, that gives the Warriors an early lead in the LeBron sweepstakes.
And we all know that CEO Joe Lacob is gonna do everything in his power to try to get another superstar because that man loves superstars like a fat kid loves cake.
I think about what team acted before anybody else.
That's the Warriors.
That's Draymond Green opting out.
Yeah, the, the Miami Heat went out and got Giannis.
Yes, the, the, the Lakers of course already have Luka from last year, and they re-upped and, and brought back Austin Reaves of course too.
But Draymond Green opting out before free agency began like he did obviously, that shows me something is brewing, simple as that.
Like, the coffee pot is getting hot.
Something's brewing here in Golden State and LeBron James.
It, it just feels like it's leaning towards the Warriors.
And I, I would, I would definitely be a lot less surprised today if it goes towards, towards the Warriors than I even was yesterday, guys.
So Dave McMenamin of Excuse me.
I'm gonna start with Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
LeBron James and his representatives will talk to a few teams after free agency opens, which is opening right now.
A source close to the process says there's no rush for him to make a decision.
Now, Dave McMenamin of ESPN later tweeted, "LeBron James has instructed Rich Paul, his agent, to talk to everyone around the league who is interested in playing for them and come back to him with what options are so he can make his decision, a source familiar with James' thinking told ESPN."
So he's in no rush to make a decision.
What does that really mean for the Warriors?
Don't you want him to make a decision so you can fill out your roster before 'Cause guys gotta sign.
Or will LeBron James hold up the entire process for every team in the league and put everything on pause?
How quickly do you think this will be settled, Monte?
I don't think it'll go too long actually, e- and especially if it's the Warriors.
I don't know what there is to discuss with the Warriors.
He kinda knows what they do.
He, they know what he does.
He knows He's talked to Steph.
He's talked to Draymond.
You know, I don't I wanna s- I don't wanna say he's talked to Steve Kerr and Mike Dunleavy, but we all know how these guys chat to each other.
They, and they understand.
So this is a situation where he knows what the Warriors are about, and I don't think he has to talk to them very much.
He knows they can only pay him so much.
They can't pay him nearly what the Lakers could have pl- paid him.
So I think he's more, like, listening to maybe what other teams have to offer, doing his due diligence to see what else might be out there that can persuade him maybe to not come to the Warriors.
But I think right now the Warriors are in the lead, and I don't think they're There's no reason for them to be, quote-unquote, "nervous" or anxious about this.
I believe that they're in good position and that it, it'll take somebody else to blow LeBron away, and it can't be money, which is why the Cavaliers could be in the mix because, you know, that hometown vibe.
You know, that could be a, a factor here.
But he, LeBron has already analyzed all these things in his mind before he got to this point.
He knew he was gonna leave LA.
He didn't decide this morning.
So- No doubt he knew for a while what he was gonna do and probably what he will, where he will end up, end up playing.
And again, I think the Warriors are the best, most likely team he will end up with based on what, we've learned so far.
