Warriors’ Play for LeBron Forces Lakers to Finally Pick Up the Phone

The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James haven’t had a single conversation about his future since the season ended. That silence is about to break, and it took the Golden State Warriors to finally force the issue.

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Thursday that the Lakers and LeBron are expected to talk soon, directly because of the Warriors’ aggressive positioning to land the four-time MVP. Haynes posted on X that the Lakers had yet to have a discussion with James about his next contract, but that was changing “in light of Golden State Warriors’ strategic maneuvering to position themselves as a landing spot.”

LeBron’s options are getting real

The Lakers have made some moves this offseason. They drafted Dalton Knecht. They signed some role players. But the thing everybody’s waiting for is getting LeBron’s name on a new deal. And so far? Nothing. Radio silence from both sides.

That quiet made the Lakers look complacent. Meanwhile the Warriors were working behind the scenes, reportedly putting together a package that could appeal to both LeBron and the Lakers in a sign-and-trade scenario. Golden State has the young players and draft capital to make something happen. They also have Stephen Curry, who LeBron has openly said he’d love to play with at some point.

The Olympics are coming up. LeBron and Curry are going to share a locker room and a court for Team USA. You think they won’t talk about teaming up for real? The timing is convenient for Golden State and uncomfortable for Los Angeles.

The Lakers can’t afford to wait

LeBron can opt out of his current contract and become a free agent. He could also sign an extension with the Lakers for up to three years and $164 million. But if the Lakers keep dragging their feet, the Warriors keep creeping closer.

There’s also the option that James just runs out his current deal and tests free agency next summer. That would hang over the Lakers’ entire season like a dark cloud. Nobody in that front office wants a yearlong LeBron watch where every loss gets analyzed through the lens of him leaving.

So yeah. The Warriors made their move and now the Lakers have to actually pick up the phone. More details should come out once that meeting actually happens. But the fact that it hasn’t happened yet is already a story in itself.