LeBron James, left, and Stephen Curry have been teammates before. Would James, an unrestricted free agent, be willing to join Curry with the Warriors?
Jae C. Hong/Associated Press
Forward Yaxel Lendeborg, the Warriors’ first-round choice this year, could step into a significant role this season.
Lea Suzuki/S.F. Chronicle
To briefly review this past week, the Golden State Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg, one of the oldest prospects in the NBA draft (he turns 24 in September), and then agreed on a two-year contract with 40-year-old Al Horford.
And now to preview free agency, which begins Tuesday: The Warriors would love to find a way to land LeBron James, who turns 42 in December.
Wait, they wanted to get younger, right?
Maybe that’s a bit unfair, because Lendeborg could fill a glaring need with his size (6-foot-9) and two-way skills on the wing. Horford gives the Warriors a floor-spacing center, and James remains a distinctive, powerful presence even in his 40s.
Article continues below this ad
But the decisions on Lendeborg and Horford, and the lingering dream of acquiring James, offer insight into how the Warriors are approaching the 2026-27 season. They’re not willing to sacrifice the future for a run at Stephen Curry’s fifth NBA championship — hence, using the No. 11 pick rather than trading it — but they’re also prioritizing winning now over building for the future.
That’s why they added Lendeborg and not a younger prospect with more long-term upside, and also why they curiously gave Horford a second year on his new deal. And, yes, they’re still in play for James if he decides to return for his unprecedented 24th season in the league.
San Francisco Chronicle Logo
Make us a Preferred Source to get more of our news when you search.
Add Preferred Source
James headlines an unspectacular class of unrestricted free agents this summer. Even he might not become available — if James extends his career, he’s widely expected to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, who can pay him more than the Warriors can.
Article continues below this ad
Still, the Warriors figure to make their pitch if he doesn’t re-sign with the Lakers. James and Curry are good friends and 2024 Olympic teammates, and Golden State head coach Steve Kerr directed that U.S. men’s national team to the gold medal in Paris.
The catch, naturally, is money: The Warriors can offer James about $15 million, the non-taxpayer midlevel exception. James earned $52.6 million last season for the Lakers, so that would represent a massive paycut.
LeBron or no LeBron, the Warriors face many intriguing decisions this offseason as they seek to reshape their aging, injury-depleted roster. Only five Golden State players are under contract next season and expected to be available for training camp — Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Will Richard and Horford (once he signs his new deal July 6).
Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody have contracts, but they will both miss at least half the season as they continue to recover from major knee injuries.
Here are some key elements of Golden State’s offseason ahead:
**Monday marks the deadline for players to exercise or decline their player options. Draymond Green has an option for nearly $27.7 million for next season, and De’Anthony Melton has one for almost $3.5 million.
Article continues below this ad
Melton is likely to reject his option, because he can command more on the open market (though the Warriors still might try to re-sign him). Green could spurn his option and return to the Warriors on a two-year deal at a lower annual salary, though he also might take the $27 million-plus.
Horford already agreed to decline his player option for next season (for $6 million) in favor of a two-year, $14 million contract. He played well the second half of last season, but his return extends valid questions about the Warriors’ collective age and whether they can stay healthy enough to contend for a playoff berth.
**What to do about Kristaps Porzingis?
Porzingis, an unrestricted free agent who earned $30.7 million last season, brings value as a 7-2 center who can shoot from the perimeter. He’s also 30, in his prime — though a long injury history raises red flags.
Teams could start negotiating with their own free agents the day after the NBA Finals ended (so June 14), and the Warriors reportedly have made progress on a reasonably priced deal with Porzingis. They’re no doubt intrigued by the space he creates for Curry in the half-court offense, but can Porzingis hold up physically?
Article continues below this ad
Asked specifically about Porzingis and Green, general manager Mike Dunleavy said on June 17, “I’ve had conversations with all our free agents, their representatives. I think we’re in a good place with all of them. … As far as Draymond and KP, we value both guys and want them here. We see them as kind of a piece of the puzzle next season.”
**The Warriors have committed $119.4 million next season to Curry ($62.6 million) and Butler ($56.8 million), so they don’t have much flexibility to pursue players on the free-agent market.
The list of unrestricted free agents is underwhelming, anyway. James obviously counts as the biggest name, and Miami’s Norman Powell — instant offense — figures to command contract offers beyond Golden State’s means. Three interesting UFAs reportedly already have agreed to remain with their previous teams: CJ McCollum (Atlanta), Coby White (Charlotte) and Ayo Dosunmu (Minnesota).
The Warriors have plenty of needs, as Dunleavy recently acknowledged. He didn’t get into specifics, but let’s start with size, shooting, passing, athleticism and defense. Remember, the Warriors were 37-45 last season.
Dunleavy clearly is hoping Lendeborg — on his affordable rookie contract — makes an immediate impact.
Article continues below this ad
“Yaxel connects some lineups with his size,” Dunleavy said. “He can plug in at multiple positions because he can guard small (players) and he can guard big, he can play inside and he can play outside. It probably makes our job in free agency a little bit easier, frankly, given what’s going on with Jimmy and Moses with their injuries.”
Golden State has two other unrestricted free agents of its own in Gary Payton II and Seth Curry, and also two restricted free agents in Quinten Post and Pat Spencer.