The Golden State Warriors are exploring an audacious path to roster construction that would unite three basketball titans on the same team, according to reporting from ESPN.
The plan hinges on financial maneuvering that began Monday when Draymond Green declined his $27.6 million player option. Green's decision opens salary cap space, and the veteran has signaled willingness to accept a lower salary in order to facilitate the Warriors' pursuit of LeBron James and a trade for Anthony Davis.
The three-team machinations would bring together James, who last season completed a contract with the Lakers, and Davis, currently with the Washington Wizards. Both players share representation through Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who also serves as Green's agent, potentially smoothing negotiations.
James would take a substantial pay cut to join the Warriors, accepting a non-taxpayer midlevel exception valued at approximately $15.1 million rather than the higher salary the Lakers could offer. That represents a dramatic reduction from his previous deal, though financial considerations appear secondary in his decision-making. The three-time champion has already earned $581 million in salary and boasts a net worth around $1.4 billion through endorsements and business ventures.
The real draw is opportunity. James and Curry, who collided in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018, have grown closer in recent years beyond their on-court rivalry. Green and Davis rank among James's closest friends, making the reunion compelling on personal grounds.
The roster math presents serious challenges. A quartet of Curry (38), Green (36), James (41), and Davis (33) would carry a combined average age of 37 years old. The Warriors were already the second-oldest team in the 2024-25 season at 28.6 years average age, behind only the Lakers at 30.
To make salary numbers work, the Warriors would likely need to trade 36-year-old Jimmy Butler to the Wizards as part of the deal. ESPN reported that Butler has been informed the team prefers to keep him, creating another obstacle to assembly.
Should the deal materialize, the combined resume would be staggering. The four players would bring 13 NBA championships, 48 All-Star selections, and 68 All-Star seasons to the court simultaneously.
Author James Rodriguez: "A championship core with an average age approaching 40 is desperate gamble with likely only one legitimate window to win it all, but the talent on paper is almost impossible to ignore."
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