Warriors, no LeBron James? Golden State’s plan B has been revealed

The Golden State Warriors have done everything they could to convince LeBron James to join Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in the Bay Area. Green’s decision to decline his $27.7 million player option was the first step toward creating the financial flexibility needed to make a competitive offer to the four-time NBA champion.

In recent days, however, the situation has become more complicated. Several signs suggest that LeBron would prefer a move to the Eastern Conference, significantly reducing the chances of seeing him in a Warriors uniform.

That naturally raises the question: what will Golden State do if James says no?

Anthony Slater reveals the Warriors’ strategy

According to ESPN insider Anthony Slater, anyone expecting a desperate win-now move may end up disappointed.

Asked about the Warriors’ “Plan B”, Slater gave a very clear answer:

It’ll probably be an unexciting but very stable decision. Part of the Warriors’ long-term plan is already focused on life after Steph. A lot of people think they’re ready to trade away all of their draft picks to go all-in over the next two years, but that’s simply not the case

Anthony Slater

Over the past few years, the Warriors have deliberately avoided compromising their long-term future. They’ve held on to multiple Draft picks while keeping their payroll highly manageable beyond next season.

Slater emphasized that preserving financial flexibility has been a conscious organizational strategy.

They’ve kept their books clean. Beyond this season, they have very little long-term guaranteed money. I know fans don’t like hearing it, but they want to keep their options open and maintain the flexibility to pursue the next superstar who becomes available

Anthony Slater

That philosophy was also reflected in the decision to use the 11th overall pick in the NBA Draft to select Yaxel Lendeborg instead of including the pick in a trade for a veteran.

Draymond Green is still expected to stay

Even if LeBron James doesn’t end up in Golden State, it won’t change Draymond Green’s future with the franchise.

According to Slater, the veteran is still expected to sign a new contract with the Warriors. The only difference would be the financial structure of the deal.

I fully expect him to return. Everyone around the league assumes he’ll stay. He declined his player option only to give the Warriors more financial flexibility

Anthony Slater

If LeBron signs with Golden State, Green could receive a longer and more lucrative contract. If not, the Warriors could simply offer him a deal similar to the player option he declined, preserving greater cap flexibility moving forward.

The Warriors and Draymond want to stay together for the rest of his career

Anthony Slater

The post-Stephen Curry era may have already begun

Even if Stephen Curry signs an extension and Draymond Green returns, Golden State is expected to carry a relatively modest payroll entering the 2027-28 season.

That would leave the franchise with significant salary cap flexibility when the next superstar becomes available on the market.

For that reason, if LeBron James ultimately chooses another team, the Warriors may decide against forcing another blockbuster trade and instead focus on building the foundation for their next championship window.