NBA teams can officially begin negotiating with free agents at 3 p.m. Tuesday, with the Golden State Warriors expected to offer LeBron James a deal that will "top out at" approximately $15 million.
This reported offer would represent the lowest annual salary James has earned since his four-year, $60 million extension with the Cavaliers in 2007. James, who is set to enter his 24th NBA season and will turn 42 in late December, averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists for the Lakers last season. The Lakers have reportedly not made an offer to the unrestricted free agent.
The Warriors and James have a significant history, having faced each other in four consecutive NBA Finals between 2015 and 2018, with the Warriors winning three of those series.
Beyond James, the Warriors are also reportedly interested in pursuing guards Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton. Simons, who was traded from the Celtics to the Bulls at the mid-season deadline, averaged 14.2 points and 2.4 assists per game last season. Sexton, who began the season with the Hornets after a trade from the Jazz, saw increased minutes and averaged 17.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game after joining Chicago.
If the Warriors do not secure James, their pursuit of Simons or Sexton could lead to competition between the two guards who became teammates in Chicago during the latter half of last season.