The Golden State Warriors definitely have a pulse with a 6-foot-7 former Miami Heat player in their fold, even though it’s too soon to say that they hit the lottery by acquiring him in February.
Under the direction of the six-time All-Star, the Dubs made it to the postseason last season and advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals for the second time in three seasons.
Peter O’Keefe of Blue Man Hoop, however, thinks the team would be better served trading Jimmy Butler for a forward who has won four NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“If the Warriors wish to fulfill their long-held desire of acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo,
Then, before you consider the plethora of young players and assets they would also have to give up, Butler will be the simplest route to matching wages,” O’Keefe wrote on Saturday.
Then there’s LeBron James, another superstar Golden State has been associated with for more than 18 months. This offseason, there has also been a lot of conjecture around the four-time MVP’s future with the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Warriors once more being considered as a team that is somewhat interested.
“Once more, the best way to pay James $52.6 million would be to use Butler’s contract. James’ no-trade provision does give the acquiring team some influence in that situation, but the teams would still need to bargain over picks.
Even though James only has a few years left in the NBA, the 21-time All-Star will undoubtedly continue to play at a high level right up until the end.
James was at his peak in February, the same month Luka Doncic moved to Los Angeles, but he was electrifying throughout the year.
The 6-foot-9 offensive powerhouse shot 55.5% from the field and 44.3% from three-point range, averaging 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game.
The Lakers ended the month with an outstanding 10-2 record, which is not surprising.
On a Los Angeles team that missed out on the second round of the playoffs, James finished the season with 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per night. He made 51.3% of his field goals and 37.6% of his three-pointers from beyond the arc.
It would be beneficial for James, 40, to play with Curry and entertain the Dubs’ supporters for at least one season, even if he signs with the Warriors and doesn’t win a title.
James will at least keep being associated with the Warriors as the new season approaches.
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