Brandon Ingram and Zach LaVine? They’re solid names, but the Golden State Warriors appear to have their eyes on bigger prizes. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Warriors have their sights set on Jimmy Butler and LeBron James as potential acquisitions.
Jimmy Butler and LeBron James are two stars on the Warriors’ radar, per @windhorstespn 👀
Could you see either of them playing in Golden State? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/qrInvrqZiE
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 11, 2024
Butler has been a consistent name in trade rumors this season, with multiple discussions linking him to the Warriors. A savvy veteran and proven playoff riser, Butler would thrive next to Curry. But as always, a deal for a star like Butler would come with a big price tag.
If the Warriors are serious about acquiring the Miami Heat superstar, they’re looking at sending out Andrew Wiggins, and maybe Brandin Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga too. For a 35-year-old averaging 19.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game on 55.7% shooting from the field, the Warriors would need to carefully weigh the cost.
Meanwhile, LeBron remains an even more tantalizing target. The Warriors made a run at the four-time NBA champion last season, but the Lakers and LeBron himself weren’t interested. But could that change now, especially with the Lakers continuing to struggle despite a coaching change?
LeBron may be nearing the end of his career, but his productivity still stacks up with the top players in the league. Should Warriors-Lakers trade talks emerge this season, a blockbuster deal for LeBron could shake up the league. Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes suggested a trade scenario earlier this season that shows how this could play out.
Golden State Warriors acquire LeBron James* from the Los Angeles Lakers for Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Kevon Looney, 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick (1-20)
“The cost here is exorbitant, especially considering James is entering his age-40 season. Golden State is giving up all of the first-round equity it has left (swaps excluded) along with a potential star in Kuminga. And yet it still seems as if the Lakers would only consider taking back a package like this if James expressly demanded to be traded… Ultimately, it’d still be hard to bet against the James-Curry combo. Their work during Team USA’s run to gold in Paris was proof of concept.”
