'Bulls—t': Warriors respond to LeBron James' interest rumors

Just the idea of LeBron James considering a union with the archrival Warriors is enough to set off an NBA firestorm.

It was a league-altering moment when Kevin Durant decided in 2016 to join the Warriors, who have won two championships in three years and were a couple of minutes from a third. On Thursday, it was Durant’s turn to react to an ESPN report that James — the man most responsible for Golden State missing out on a three-peat — would consider a meeting with the franchise this summer if they have enough cap space to sign him to a max contract.

“Bullshit,” Durant said when asked about his thoughts on the report. “Bullshit. But in this league, just like a couple of years, me coming here, nobody would’ve thought it’d happen.”

James can opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer, which has looked like more of a possibility with each report on the state of the Cavaliers. The three-time defending Eastern Conference champions appear to be in disarray and James could be on his way out of his hometown for the second time.

While other James suitors, both Los Angeles teams and the Rockets, have already been in play, the reported addition of the Warriors was certainly a surprise. Golden State currently has the largest payroll in the league and four All-Stars under contract beyond this season.

“You’re really going to ask that?” coach Steve Kerr said about the idea of coaching James. “Do you want me to get my checkbook out? I could just make it out to Adam Silver? Or to the NBA? You know that’s illegal. I’m not answering that.”

While the Warriors were able to clear cap space for Durant in relatively easy fashion, that’s no longer the case. In order to acquire max salary cap space next season, it’s likely the Warriors would either have to trade two of their four All-Stars, including Durant or Stephen Curry as one of the two, or pursue a more complicated process.

By trading another All-Star like Draymond Green or Klay Thompson, the Warriors would also need to move Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. Furthermore, Durant might need to opt out of the last year of his contract and sign for a little less, after already taking less than the maximum this year.

That’s why Durant’s initial assessment of the situation is most likely accurate.

Why this information was leaked to an ESPN reporter might be a more interesting story than the news itself, as Bill Simmons explored Thursday.

This LeBron/GSW “rumor” is such an obvious plant by LeBron’s camp to (a) pressure the Cavs to trade that Nets pick/players for help, (b) unsettle GSW’s chemistry, and (c) pressure the Lakers to create cap space for him/others. I can’t believe anyone took it seriously. Come on.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 1, 2018