The Golden State Warriors could be looking to create the biggest moves in franchise history this summer, at least since acquiring Kevin Durant in 2017. After Draymond Green reportedly declined his $27.7M player option, Golden State suddenly has significantly more flexibility heading into free agency.
While the Warriors will have to be clever with their salary cap structure, Green’s decision creates a path to reshape the roster around Stephen Curry and pursue none other than LeBron James if he doesn’t return to the Lakers.
The dream situation doesn’t end there. If the Warriors can convince LeBron to take less than the maximum salary and re-sign Green on a team-friendly contract, they could then package Jimmy Butler and future assets for Anthony Davis, creating the scariest Big Four in the NBA.
It would require sacrifice from the players involved, but this is possible. Here’s how Golden State could realistically assemble a superstar Big Four to compete for the 2026-27 NBA championship.
1. LeBron James Signs Below Market Value
Landing LeBron James is the first most important step as he looks likely to leave his current team. Instead of demanding a maximum contract of over $50M per season, even if he is obviously worth it, LeBron would have to prioritize a championship over money.
James’ future in Los Angeles is unclear as The King has yet to respond to the Lakers about staying. It is no surprise that the Warriors believe they are the favorites to land James should he decide to leave Los Angeles.
Golden State’s best path would be signing him using the $15.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception created by Draymond Green’s rejection of his player option, allowing the Warriors to preserve enough flexibility for the rest of their roster.
Yes, it would be the largest financial sacrifice of LeBron’s career, but after earning well over half a billion dollars in NBA salary alone, another championship could affect his legacy on a different level.
Joining Stephen Curry would also give LeBron perhaps the best offensive partner he’s ever played with, or at least since his Miami Heat days.
Curry, at 38, is coming off a season averaging 26.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 4.7 APG on 46.7% FG, 39.3% 3-PT FG, and 92.3% FT. LeBron, even at 41 years old in his 23rd season, averaged 20.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 7.2 APG on 51.5% FG, 31.7% 3-PT FG, and 73.7% FT.
We saw how dominant Curry and James were together in the Olympics, and we wouldn’t be surprised if they did the same next season. Yes, they will be older as Curry approaches 39 and James 42, but we cannot deny how good they can be together.
2. Draymond Green Accepts A Team-Friendly 3-Year Deal
The plan also hinges on Draymond Green. Rather than immediately signing another lucrative long-term contract, Green could return on a three-year deal worth approximately $75 million ($25 million annually).
That figure still rewards one of the greatest defenders of his generation while giving Golden State a chance to make one more move. After all, Green was very solid last season but isn’t exactly an All-Star.
Green averaged 8.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, and 0.6 BPG on 41.8% FG, 32.6% 3-PT FG, and 70.2% FT. He played 68 games at 27.5 MPG, and he could not quite influence the Warriors into making the postseason.
The future Hall of Famer was his usual self defensively, however, posting a solid 115.0 defensive rating.
Also, Green has repeatedly stated that finishing his career alongside Curry is his priority. Taking slightly less money would allow the Warriors to pursue another championship while keeping the championship duo together.
His chemistry with both Curry and LeBron from Team USA would also ease the transition. Every superteam needs a defensive backbone, and Green certainly provides that.
3. Blockbuster Trade For Anthony Davis
Once LeBron is in place and Green is re-signed, Golden State could make one final blockbuster move: acquiring LeBron’s former teammate, Anthony Davis.
Proposed Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive:Â Anthony Davis
Washington Wizards Receive: Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, 2028 first-round pick, 2032 first-round pick, 2033 second-round pick
From the Wizards’ perspective, this package delivers an All-Star-caliber veteran in Butler, one of Golden State’s top young players in Podziemski, and multiple draft assets to help accelerate a rebuild around their No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa and the recently signed Trae Young.
Butler would provide experience, leadership, and defense while the picks replenish a depleted asset cupboard. Butler averaged 20.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 0.2 BPG on 51.9% FG, 37.6% 3-PT FG, and 86.4% FT in 38 games before a torn right ACL ended his season short at 36 years old.
Podziemski is only 23 years old and posted 13.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 0.2 BPG on 45.5% FG, 37.1% 3-PT FG, and 79.7% FT in 82 games, including 43 starts.
For the Warriors, Davis would become the interior presence they have lacked for years. Pairing him with Green would instantly create one of the NBA’s best defensive frontcourts, while Curry and LeBron control the offense.
The Result: A New NBA Superteam
Projected Starting Five
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: LeBron James
SF: Yaxel Lendeborg
PF: Draymond Green
C: Anthony Davis
Key Bench Players: Will Richard, Moses Moody (Likely out for the 2026-27 season), Gui Santos, Al Horford
If Golden State pull off these moves, it would instantly become one of the favorites to win the 2027 NBA championship, or at least become a major contender in the Western Conference.
Stephen Curry is still basketball’s most dangerous shooter, LeBron James is the best leader and passer in the NBA, Anthony Davis gives the Warriors the dominant interior force they’ve never had, and Draymond Green returns as the enforcer.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 Draft) would likely slide into the starting lineup. The 6’8″ forward averaged 15.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.2 BPG on 51.5% FG and 37.2% 3-PT FG with the champion Michigan Wolverines in 2025-26.
Just as importantly, the supporting cast wouldn’t be an afterthought.
Moses Moody would be a dependable floor spacer and perimeter defender. Before a torn patellar tendon in his left knee ended his campaign, Moody averaged 12.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, and 0.6 BPG on 44.0% FG, 40.1% 3-PT FG, and 77.0% FT in 60 games (49 starts). Since Moody will likely be out for the upcoming season, we don’t expect him to be a key part of the bench.
The recently re-signed Al Horford would provide playoff-tested depth off the bench.
Horford, now 40, posted 8.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.7 SPG, and 1.1 BPG on 42.6% FG, 36.1% 3-PT FG, and 84.6% FT in 45 games.
Young players such as Will Richard (6.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.3 APG on 35.3% 3-PT FG) and Gui Santos (9.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.3 APG on 35.1% 3-PT FG) would inject athleticism and energy into the rotation, giving head coach Steve Kerr a balanced roster overall.
There would certainly be concerns about age, health, and the financial sacrifices required to make everything work. But championship windows are built around elite talent, and the Warriors have a chance to assemble the aging but impactful “Avengers”.
If everything fell into place, the Warriors would have one of the scariest rosters of the modern era and a legitimate Big Four who are hungry to win their final championships.
