In a shocking revelation, the Golden State Warriors reportedly made a bold move to acquire LeBron James before the trade deadline. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne, the Warriors reached out to Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to discuss the possibility of trading for James. However, their attempt was quickly shut down.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob, fueled by the encouragement of star player Draymond Green, contacted Buss to inquire about James’ apparent frustration. Buss made it clear that the Lakers had no intention of trading their superstar, but suggested that Lacob speak to James’ agent, Rich Paul, for more insight into his mindset.
The specifics of the Warriors’ trade package were not revealed, but they had a few large contracts that could have matched James’ salary. Players like Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Chris Paul were all potential candidates. It remains unclear what combination of players and draft picks the Warriors were willing to offer.
Interestingly, it was Draymond Green, not Stephen Curry, who actively tried to recruit James to join the Warriors. Green reached out to Paul for assistance in convincing James to consider Golden State. However, this recruitment effort ultimately proved futile.
After their failed attempt to acquire James, the Warriors explored other trade options. They reportedly considered trading for Alex Caruso, James’ former teammate, and Kelly Olynyk, a stretch big man. However, the team was unwilling to part ways with young talent Jonathan Kuminga, who they deemed untouchable.
Overall, the Warriors’ pursuit of LeBron James was an ambitious endeavor that ultimately fell short. While the team explored various trade scenarios and engaged in serious conversations, they were unable to convince the Lakers to part ways with their star player. The Warriors will now have to regroup and focus on other strategies to strengthen their roster.
WIGGINS REBOUNDS FROM STRUGGLES, KUMINGA SHINES FOR WARRIORS
In a surprising turn of events, Andrew Wiggins has overcome his early struggles and is now playing exceptionally well alongside Draymond Green, who recently returned from his second suspension of the season. However, it is Jonathan Kuminga who has emerged as the Warriors’ biggest revelation. The third-year wing has started to find his groove and is making significant contributions to the team.
According to a report by The Athletic, Kuminga had initially lost faith in head coach Steve Kerr. Fortunately, they were able to resolve their differences, and since then, Kuminga has elevated his game to become the team’s second-best player. He has been on a roll, averaging 20.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in the 17 games following the report. Notably, he has been shooting an impressive 56.6% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.
The combination of Kuminga and Wiggins has proven to be unstoppable. Ever since Kerr introduced the Kuminga-Wiggins-Green frontline on January 27 against the Los Angeles Lakers, Wiggins’ performance has significantly improved. He is now averaging 14.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, shooting at an impressive 54.2% from the field and 52.2% from three-point range.
The team’s record speaks for itself. Since Kerr made the decision to start this new lineup, the Warriors have won seven out of nine games. The Kuminga-Wiggins-Green frontline has been particularly effective, boasting a plus-15.9 net rating when Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are on the court. The numbers become even more impressive, with a staggering plus-40.1 net rating when rookie Brandin Podziemski replaces Thompson in the lineup.
It is clear that Wiggins and Kuminga have found their rhythm, and their partnership with Green has been instrumental in the team’s recent success. The Warriors are on a roll, and with these players stepping up, they are poised to continue their winning streak.
According to the Source heavy.com