New LeBron James Rumors Update Warriors Free Agency Hopes Amid Lakers Contract Buzz

There could be mutual interest between the Golden State Warriors and one of their longtime rivals on the court.

NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole cited one source who entertained the notion of LeBron James joining Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in the Bay Area.

"I know it seems crazy," they said. "But there is at least curiosity on both sides. This wouldn't even be a conversation five or six years ago, and it might not happen now, but there's enough there that we shouldn't ignore the possibility. It's mostly up to LeBron."

The Warriors unsuccessfully pursued James in trades before. Now, they have a free run at the surefire Hall of Famer since he's an unrestricted free agent.

The likelihood of this happening might nonetheless be slim.

NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported Tuesday that reuniting with the Los Angeles Lakers "is widely believed to be his preferred choice," and Poole echoed that sentiment.

Overseeing his growing business empire is easier for James in Southern California, and he'd have the opportunity to keep playing alongside son Bronny.

If he really wanted to leave L.A., then he surely would've done it now.

The 22-time All-Star left the Cleveland Cavaliers — twice — and the Miami Heat when he sensed better opportunities to win a title elsewhere. The fact he has stayed with the Lakers despite continually falling short of another NBA Finals appearance after the 2020 title is telling.

In the event James does actually exit Los Angeles, the Warriors are one of the cooler possibilities because two of the defining stars of their era would be on the same team.

From a competitive standpoint, though, LeBron would arguably have stronger options. He, Curry and Green are all past their prime, and the same is true of Jimmy Butler, who's recovering from a torn ACL.

Would that quartet be able to lift Golden State past the ascendant San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder in a playoff series?

Then there's the financial component. Even if he takes a sizable pay cut, signing James would be tricky when the Warriors have a $181.5 million payroll before accounting for how much Kristaps Porziņģis will add if he re-signs.

LeBron and Golden State is a partnership that could theoretically happen. However, all of the signs are pointing to an anticlimactic end to his free agency.