Warriors’ bombshell trade plot to pair LeBron James with NBA superstar

The NBA has been stunned by reports two of the league’s most glamorous teams were in bombshell talks to pair two legendary stars.

The Golden State Warriors Warriors tried to pair the two greatest players of this generation but got shut down. Picture: Getty

The Warriors tried to pair the two greatest players of this generation but got shut down.

Golden State unsuccessfully attempted to acquire LeBron James from the Lakers to pair him with longtime rival Steph Curry before Thursday’s trade deadline, according to ESPN.

Neither the Lakers nor James signed off on a potential trade, which had been run by both teams’ ownership, reports the New York Post.

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Warriors owner Joe Lacob connected with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to see if James’ cryptic messages amid the Lakers struggles prior to the trade deadline indicated he wanted out of Los Angeles, according to the report.

The two greatest players of this generation came this close to playing in the same NBA team. Picture: Getty

James has a player option for 2024-25, meaning this could be his last season in purple and gold.

Buss said the Lakers had “no desire” to trade the four-time MVP but told Lacob to connect with James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, to learn more about James’ thoughts.

Paul informed Lacob and Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. that James had “no interest” in a trade and wanted to remain with the Lakers, per the report.

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka reportedly also told the Warriors he did not want to trade James.

Draymond Green joined the recruiting efforts, according to ESPN, texting Paul to help convince James to join the Warriors as they attempt to make a push — potentially their last — with the ageing core of Curry, Green and struggling sharpshooter Klay Thompson.

Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob connected with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss over rumours LeBron wanted out of his contract. Picture: Getty

Buss said the Lakers had “no desire” to trade the four-time MVP. Picture: Getty

The 76ers also inquired about James’ availability, per the report, but President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey “immediately” was told James would not be traded.

Pelinka, perhaps irked by the ask, countered by asking Morey if injured superstar centre Joel Embiid was available, which “ended that brief conversation.”

Morey shot for the moon at the deadline, even calling the Suns to ask about Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, per ESPN.

While it didn’t come to fruition, James and Curry playing together would have marked a historic pairing.

Curry’s Warriors bested James’ Cavaliers in three of their four NBA finals match-ups, and the two have combined for eight championships and six MVPs.

The Lakers are one game ahead of the Warriors in the Western Conference standings, sitting in ninth while the Warriors hold the last Play-In Tournament spot.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Warriors’ bombshell trade plot to pair LeBron James with NBA superstar