Sources: LeBron James not interested in playing for the Warriors

LeBron James is not interested in playing for the Golden State Warriors next season if he doesn’t retire from the NBA this offseason, sources told Lakers Daily.

James, 41, becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason for the first time since 2018. The Warriors are anticipated to pursue James in free agency, with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green expected to recruit the NBA’s all-time leader in points and field goals, sources said.

However, if James doesn’t retire from the NBA this offseason, the prevailing thought in league circles is that the sports icon will either re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers or return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third stint, sources said.

As one source told Lakers Daily, “A farewell tour with the Warriors would make no sense at all. It’s Lakers, Cavaliers or retirement.”

During James’ second stint with the Cavaliers from 2014 to 2018, the forward faced the Warriors in four consecutive NBA Finals. Golden State won it all in 2015, 2017 and 2018, with Cleveland winning the 2016 championship historically.

Behind James and Kyrie Irving, the 2015-16 Cavaliers squad became the first team in NBA history to erase a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals.

While James is friends with Curry and Green and has the same agent as Green (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group), it would be a complete shock to people in NBA circles if James signed with the team that beat him in three NBA Finals, sources said.

A four-time MVP, four-time champion and four-time Finals MVP, James hasn’t decided whether he will retire this offseason or continue playing, sources said. The Akron native is the oldest active player in the NBA and turns 42 in December.

James is currently dealing with a left elbow contusion and arthritis in his left foot. The Lakers are 9-2 this season when Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic play together without James.