Although the chances of the Los Angeles Lakers successfully working out a trade that would send out LeBron James — if James were to ask for one — are slim, one team has reportedly tried multiple times to make one happen.
“I would assume this came out from the Warriors side,” Buha said. “…They’ve had a rough summer. They have not been able to make any moves because of this Kuminga situation. It’s been drama-filled, but also stagnant at the same time…But it also benefits the Warriors to make their front office, their organization, look like they’re trying to do something.”
The Warriors have done next to nothing this summer — at least so far. Kuminga is a restricted free agent, and the two sides have been unable to come to an agreement on a new contract.
There have been reports that if and when Kuminga gets signed, a number of other free agents will then sign with the Warriors, including guard De’Anthony Melton and big man Al Horford.
The Warriors finished last season on a hot streak after trading for Butler in February, only to fall in the second round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves after Stephen Curry injured his hamstring in Game 1 and missed the rest of the series. Curry is 37 years of age, and the organization feels a great sense of urgency to maximize what is left of his productive years in order to win another NBA championship with him.
James and Curry are apparently good friends, and the two helped Team USA men’s basketball win an Olympic gold medal last summer.
