LeBron James has been looking strong in his age-41 playoffs. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green thinks fans should enjoy it while they can.
Speaking on “The Draymond Green Show,” Green stated that he “would not be surprised” if the NBA’s all-time leading scorer retired after the postseason. Green’s friendship with James might give him insight into the superstar’s future, but he could also be sending a message to his own team.
LeBron James has an uncertain future with Los Angeles Lakers
James and the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Houston Rockets Wednesday night, 99-93, but still lead their first-round series, 3-2. Behind James, the Lakers jumped out to a 3-0 series lead despite injuries to Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, largely thanks to James’ brilliance.
Still, James is unsigned for next season, the first time in his 23-year career that he’s played without a guaranteed deal for the next season. He’s famous for getting one or more player option years on the end of his deals, but the Lakers declined to offer him a multiyear extension when James could have opted out last summer. With the team building around Doncic and Reaves, this could be it for James in L.A.
That’s why one Warriors analyst believes that they could lure James to San Francisco to play with his Olympic teammate, Steph Curry. The team made an attempt to trade for James in 2025 and continued to monitor James’ interest. But if James really did head to Golden State, it would have cascading effects on the roster.
Draymond Green has an uncertain future with the Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have a number of All-Stars they’ve pursued unsuccessfully in the last few seasons, including James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Lauri Markkanen and Paul George. Their pursuit of Antetokounmpo was markedly different than some others, because Green was included in the trade offers. If the Warriors did bring in James, Green and his $27.7M contract for 2026-27 become an expensive luxury.
Green appears to have no desire to leave the Warriors, the only NBA team he’s ever played for. The financial realities of the Warriors might make it necessary to move Green to improve, since Curry is untouchable and Jimmy Butler’s $56.8M contract is untradable while he’s rehabbing his torn ACL. Spreading the idea that one of the Warriors’ dream targets is planning to retire makes sticking with Green seem more appealing.
Perhaps Green is just sharing a belief about his friend. But it’s hard to to recognize that James’ retirement would be a boon for Green’s future with the Warriors.