ESPN: Lakers' LeBron James 'Probably Not' Warriors' Top Target in NBA Free Agency

The Golden State Warriors quietly pursued a trade for LeBron James at the 2024 NBA trade deadline, but they're not expected to make a run at James if he hits unrestricted free agency.

"He's probably not their top target this summer. They have other trade targets. ... They want to settle the Klay Thompson situation," ESPN's Ramona Shelburne said on the Hoop Collective (1:07:55 mark). "Everyone, when we were reporting that first story, everyone thought this could come back up. It's harder to get done now because of the contract."

Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Warriors contacted the Lakers in February about potentially trading for James, who had expressed frustration with the Lakers' poor play at the season's midpoint. The Warriors' interest was quickly rebuffed by the Lakers, as James made it clear he did not want a midseason trade.

It would be nearly impossible for Golden State to pull off a trade for James now as he and Thompson are set to hit the open market. The Lakers would have to agree to a sign-and-trade deal to send James to the Warriors, which could be complicated by the financial restrictions by the league's collective bargaining agreement.

James refused to commit to returning to the Lakers after they were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. However, that could ultimately be a leverage play.

Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported the Lakers could offer James a three-year, $164 million contract and would even consider drafting Bronny James in the 2024 NBA draft.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported playing with Bronny is no longer "foremost" in LeBron's planning.