Mike Dunleavy Sounds Like a Man Ready to Move On Without LeBron James

Golden State Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. did not sound like a man sweating a superstar’s free agency decision. Speaking at the team’s Summer League game against the Grizzlies in Las Vegas, he essentially told reporters the roster is nearly finished. Whether LeBron James joins or not.

“I think we’re getting to finalizing the roster here, so we’re looking forward to that finish point,” Dunleavy said.

That comment landed right as reports surfaced that James has narrowed his focus to the Cavaliers, Heat, and 76ers — with the Warriors still technically in the mix but no longer the frontrunner. Golden State has spent months positioning itself for this swing. Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option in what looked like a deliberate cap-clearing move. He’s still expected back on a new deal, but the bigger play — pairing LeBron with Anthony Davis — fell apart when Washington refused to move Davis.

So where does that leave the Dubs? Pretty much right where they were.

Plan B Is Already Underway

The front office re-signed Kristaps Porziņģis to a two-year deal and is betting on internal growth, especially from rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Dunleavy didn’t say it outright, but the message was clear: they can compete without LeBron. Or at least they’re going to try.

Golden State went 37-45 last season and missed the playoffs outright. That’s a bad look for any franchise, but especially one with Stephen Curry still on the roster. Curry turns 39 in March. The urgency isn’t manufactured — it’s real. Dunleavy has said repeatedly that the organization wants Curry to finish his career in the Bay, and every move this summer reflects that goal.

But there’s a difference between wanting something and forcing it. The Warriors didn’t gut their future for a rental. They left themselves room to pivot, and that pivot might just be running it back with the guys they’ve got.

The Stakes Are Obvious

Nobody in the organization is pretending last season was acceptable. The front office knows another year like that and the pressure gets unbearable. But Dunleavy didn’t sound rattled. He sounded like a guy who has multiple options and isn’t afraid to use the boring one.

If LeBron picks Cleveland or Miami or Philly, the Warriors still have a playable roster. They have cap flexibility. They have a Hall of Fame point guard who might have one more run left. And they have a GM who clearly isn’t losing sleep over the uncertainty.