The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly still interested in bringing LeBron James back in free agency.
They have said all the right things about keeping the four-time NBA champion in town, though the fact that they didn’t give him an extension last offseason might’ve hurt their relationship.
Notably, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly trying to join the race and get him together with Stephen Curry, a move they’ve been sitting on since they tried to trade for him at the trade deadline two seasons ago.
That’s why, all things considered, NBA analyst Bill Simmons believes James will ultimately take his talents up north and join the Warriors.
Bill Simmons thinks LeBron James will sign with the Warriors
“LeBron, what happens with that is a good one,” Simmons said on the latest episode of his podcast. “This one is a really fun one because the Warriors is really in play now, like for real. I really feel like if I had to bet my life on a team, I’d think I would bet on them … I think that would be the move for me.”
Of course, this is just speculation. Simmons is an analyst, not an insider, and, as connected as he might be in the league, only James and his camp know his next move.
That said, there’s been growing smoke around him and the Warriors over the past week or so, with reports stating they’re the only team he’d consider outside the Lakers.
Whether this version of James is what the Warriors need to get back to the mountaintop might be a different story, but he did turn back the clock in the playoffs for the injury-riddled Lakers.
Stephen Curry is still a superstar, so the Warriors are doing the right thing by trying to maximize his window. Also, with his recent injuries, having James by his side would help keep both of them healthy.
The Warriors can’t offer him as much money, but they can give him a better shot at a ring. Will he take it? We shall wait and see.