Warriors prepared to sacrifice their future for blockbuster LeBron James trade… despite Steph Curry’s warnings

As the championship window begins to close for the Golden State Warriors, the team’s front office is actively looking for ways to bring another championship back to the Bay Area.

Warriors superstar Stephen Curry is currently signed with the team for the 2026-2027 season. But his declining production and lack of a fellow star on the roster have hampered Golden State’s ability to win games.

The Warriors’ front office currently sits twelfth in the Western Conference standings, fourteen games behind the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, and is trying to find ways to land a superstar to compliment Curry and boost the team’s chances team to reach the play-offs.

At the same time, Curry has said he doesn’t want the team to make a “desperate” move that would “deplete the future of the franchise.” But sources indicate the team is still working on a trade anyway.

Sources tell DailyMail.com that the Warriors could be in line for a huge move to acquire Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James or willing Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler – despite Curry’s protests.

“While Steph says he doesn’t want his team to do anything drastic, that’s the exact opposite of what’s happening behind the scenes,” the source said.

Specifically, the Warriors are targeting Miami’s Jimmy Butler and the Lakers’ LeBron James

“The Warriors brass is looking to make an impact and is in talks with the Lakers and Heat to potentially acquire LeBron James and/or Jimmy Butler before the trade deadline.

While a move of this magnitude may be in the hearts of the Warriors front office, sources say the logistics of pulling off such a move could make it more difficult than expected.

“For that to happen, so many things have to fall into place, especially since LeBron and Jimmy have no-trade clauses in their contracts,” a source told DailyMail.com. “And both the Lakers and Heat would have a large number of future draft picks and expiring contracts.

“Golden State wants to win now and is strongly considering giving up their future for now. If they don’t make a deal before February, they won’t make a deal, but Golden State is on the phone with teams trying to get a superstar in Steph so he has a chance to win another championship.”

There may also be a money problem that prevents this. According to Basketball referenceGolden State is about $36 million over the NBA salary cap. Adding additional contracts would make that number much higher.

Curry’s salary of approximately $55.7 million currently takes up about 39.7 percent of the Warriors’ cap space.

The Warriors will have four players become unrestricted free agents this summer (Dennis Schroder, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney and Lindy Waters III), while Jonathan Kuminga, Quinten Post and Pat Spencer will become restricted free agents.

Golden State still has all of its first-round picks through 2031 – which could be used as key pieces if a trade needs to be made.

Curry’s $55 million-plus contract takes up a large portion of the Warriors’ salary structure

As of now, the Warriors are about half a game out of the final playoff spot, about halfway through the NBA season.

Curry is averaging 22.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. His point totals have steadily declined since the 2022-2023 season.

The same can be said for both James and Butler. James’ PPG has increased from 28.9 in 22-23 to 23.7 this season. Butler’s has fallen from 22.9 to 17.6 over the same period.