New LeBron James Rumors on Warriors' Roster Plans if Star Signs NBA FA Contract After Lakers Exit

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly prepared to accommodate LeBron James in the event that he decides he wants to sign with them in free agency.

According to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Warriors "are believed to have lined up an additional roster move or two if necessary to create additional financial flexibility" in order to make room for James.

James informed the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday that he intended to leave the organization and play elsewhere during the 2026-27 season, and Stein and Fischer have since reported that Golden State is James' "likely" landing spot.

Even before LeBron's decision to leave the Lakers after eight seasons went public, he was being linked heavily to the Warriors.

On Monday, ESPN's Shams Charania (h/t ESPN's Anthony Slater) reported that Draymond Green declining his $27.6 million player option with the Warriors was done with an eye toward creating some flexibility to potentially add James.

It was also reported that the Warriors were planning to pursue a trade for Washington Wizards big man Anthony Davis due to his relationship with James. LeBron and AD share an agent, and they won a championship together with the Lakers.

However, ESPN Andscape's Marc J. Spears (h/t ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk) followed up Tuesday by reporting that the Wizards were turning away all trade offers for Davis.

Even without Davis in the picture, the Warriors appear to be making a strong run for James in an effort to pair him up with fellow future Hall of Famer Stephen Curry.

James and Curry are both four-time NBA champions and among the best players of their generation, and they had success teaming once before, leading Team USA to a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

In addition to Curry, James would have the chance to play alongside Green, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porziņģis and rookie first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg in Golden State, assuming all of them are retained.

The best offer the Warriors can make James is the full $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception. However, re-signing Porziņģis to a two-year deal complicated Golden State's ability to make that offer.

Charania (h/t Slater) noted that there "remains paths for them to clear room" for James if need be, though.

At a salary of $12.5 million in 2026-27, Moses Moody is a potential trade candidate to make room for James, although he is coming off a torn patellar tendon, so it is fair to wonder what type of market he will have.