Warriors owner explains push to trade for LeBron James

Joe Lacob. Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Warriors owner on push to trade for LeBron James: 'We are not here to screw around'

By Sai Mohan | Last updated 2/22/24

A new report from ESPN's Baxter Holmes examines the events that led to Warriors owner Joe Lacob recently contacting his Lakers counterpart, Jeanie Buss, to inquire about the availability of LeBron James. The report notes that the ambitious move on Lacob's part represents his "desire to keep the team competitive" as his franchise enters a critical phase with an uncertain future.

When asked to comment on the nixed trade, Lacob stressed that he won't allow his franchise to become a middling team not competing for titles.

"We just want to win," Lacob said. "We want to be the best, and we're going to try whatever tactic it takes to get there. I am not here to screw around. We are not here to screw around. We are not here to be just 'some team.' We're not going to do that. We may fail. Everyone fails. We may fail occasionally, but it will not be for lack of trying."

The report also dug deeper into Golden State's "bridge-the-gap" formula that backfired over the past 18 months or so. After winning the championship in 2022, the Warriors had hopes for Jordan Poole, James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody to lead the next wave.

Two of those players were traded over the past 12 months, and Moody has yet to find his role on the team.

Reading this article you get a clear idea of how Joe Lacob while having a Top 5 player in NBA History was worrying about 2027 and beyond. https://t.co/ynIXQLRFM8
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) February 22, 2024

One former Warriors staffer believes the "have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too" plan was destined to fail, and that Lacob should have brought in veterans to maximize Stephen Curry's title window.

"I think [ownership] made a decision about four years ago that they were going to try and have it all, and it backfired," the ex-staffer told Holmes. "They probably should have focused on players that just fit with Steph versus trying for the home run swings."

Lacob, per the report, has no regrets about the plan backfiring and remains determined to right the ship at all costs.

If his pursuit of James was any indication, the Warriors could go star-hunting again this offseason. While they don't have any cap space to pursue free agents, the expiring contracts of Klay Thompson, Chris Paul and Kevon Looney can be used in sign-and-trade deals.

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