LeBron James and Draymond Green were spotted golfing together in Puerto Rico this week, and the internet instantly went into speculation overdrive. The two future Hall of Famers, who have been linked in trade rumors all summer, looked relaxed and focused on their swings rather than the NBA rumor mill.
ESPN Cleveland posted a clip of the duo on the course. Neither player has commented on the outing, but the timing is interesting. Green just declined his $27.7 million player option with the Golden State Warriors, making him an unrestricted free agent. James, meanwhile, has reportedly kept his options open as his own future with the Los Angeles Lakers remains uncertain.
The Warriors have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for James for months. Golden State’s front office is reportedly interested in pairing the four-time MVP with Stephen Curry. But nothing is close, and both players are letting agent Rich Paul handle the heavy lifting while they enjoy the offseason.
A Rivalry That Turned Into a Friendship
It’s easy to forget now, but Green and James were once heated rivals. Their battles in the 2016 NBA Finals were brutal. Green infamously hit James in the groin during Game 4, earning a flagrant foul that led to a suspension. The Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the title. That series changed how people saw both guys.
But something shifted after that. They started talking. Supporting each other publicly. Showing up at each other’s events. By the time they played together for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, they looked like old friends. The Americans won gold, and the two were often seen laughing together on the bench.
What This Means for the Warriors
Golden State is in the middle of a weird offseason. They’ve already re-signed veterans Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, and they drafted Yaxel Lendeborg out of Michigan. Steve Kerr also signed a two-year extension to stay as head coach. But the big question is whether Green comes back and whether James ever ends up in a Warriors uniform.
Nobody really knows. The golf trip could mean nothing. Or it could mean everything. That’s the thing about the NBA offseason — two guys playing a casual round in Puerto Rico can send the entire league into a frenzy. And right now, that’s exactly what’s happening.
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