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General manager Mike Dunleavy and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors pose for a photo marking the presentation of the ball to Curry for his 12th selection to the NBA All Stars, prior to the start of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center on February 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
The Golden State Warriors reportedly made a “determined” push to acquire Kawhi Leonard before the Feb. trade deadline and plan to do so again this offseason, aiming to pair Stephen Curry with a legitimate co-star.
Per insider Marc Stein, the Warriors were all-in on acquiring Leonard from the LA Clippers, and all signs suggest they still have interest in the future Hall of Famer.
“The Warriors made what has been described as a determined trade run at the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard in the final hour before the Feb. 5 trade buzzer sounded under the belief that Leonard might be unexpectedly unavailable after LA agreed to ship Ivica Zubac to Indiana,” Stein wrote in “The Stein Line” newsletter.
“The Clippers ultimately balked then, but it is reasonable to presume that Golden State will investigate that possibility once again.”
LeBron James to Warriors?
Stein also reported on the buzz of LeBron James, a free agent this summer, linking up with Stephen Curry in his potential farewell season.
“The Warriors are likewise routinely described by rival teams as one of the few credible destinations for LeBron James’ 24th NBA campaign if James and the Lakers indeed part ways after eight seasons together.”
“It has some legs,” one league source said of the LeBron link to the Warriors.”
The Warriors enter arguably the most critical offseason of Stephen Curry’s career this summer. Curry, 38, has the option to test free agency in 2027, something the Warriors could prevent by signing their longtime franchise star to an extension this summer. Furthermore, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III — also on expiring contracts — could reportedly be used as trade chips by the Warriors to make roster upgrades.
Warriors Offseason Plans
Per Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard, teams across the league are gearing up for the Warriors to make a major splash this offseason.
“The league, I think, isn’t concerned that they’re going to go win another title, but they are concerned that they are going to load up like crazy going into next season. I’m saying Kawhi, LeBron James,” Kawakami said on the “Warriors Plus Minus” podcast
“There are complications with both. But you’ve heard it, I’ve heard it. There is a conversation. I’m not saying from the league. I’m just saying, Kawhi’s contract gonna get voided, theoretically. We don’t know.
“That seems to be the number one thing you hear with some other obviously punishment for the Clippers. He could be a free agent. He might not be able to get a max salary is what I’m saying.”
Some insiders have suggested that if the Warriors fail to make significant upgrades, they could play out the 2026-27 season and begin the rebuilding process in 2027, when they are projected to be armed with more than $120M in cap space.
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
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