Warriors GM makes cryptic offseason statement as LeBron James’ free agency drags out
· Yahoo Sports
Golden State Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. shared a cryptic answer over the team’s summer business with a LeBron James-sized elephant in the room.
The Warriors haven’t made any major moves this offseason. Outside their pursuit of LeBron and eventual re-signing of Draymond Green, it’s been a quiet summer in Golden State.
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Warriors GM Dunleavy Jr. knows that as well, sharing a vague statement on the state of their roster as they wait for LeBron’s decision.
Warriors are ‘close’ to their final roster, but clearly await LeBron James’ decision
Dunleavy was asked about the team’s free agency plans during the Warriors’ Summer League loss to the Grizzlies (106-85), with the GM sharing a brief and inconclusive response.
“I think we’re getting close to finalizing the roster here, so we’re looking forward to that finish point. We shall see.”
There is no major business to be done for the Warriors if they fail to sign James as a free agent.
The franchise has insisted they won’t trade Jimmy Butler away despite the 36-year-old spending most of the season injured with a torn ACL. That decision alone heavily restricts their ability to tweak their roster.
LeBron’s decision will have a major consequence on Golden State’s offseason, as his joining means they need to reshape their roster according to his needs.
James not joining will be much worse, forcing the Warriors’ front office to overturn a non-Playoff roster and make it competitive after 95% of all offseason business has already concluded.
Warriors had Draymond Green recruit LeBron James
Warriors legend Draymond Green and LeBron are close personal friends, with the pair hanging out last week, where Green confirmed he made his pitch to the 41-year-old all-time NBA leading scorer.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesGreen himself is a free agent, with his returning salary likely to be impacted by the amount that James signs on for. If LeBron goes elsewhere, Green might wait a little longer before signing to give the franchise room to pivot.
James has an off-court friendship with Green and Stephen Curry while getting to live close to his Los Angeles home with the San Francisco-based Warriors.
The pitch is compelling, but the basketball aspect of it might be the weakest from a roster perspective. We don’t know the details of the pitch, but it had to be convincing for them to still be in the race despite being the weakest roster pursuing James.
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