Former LeBron James’ teammate in Miami Heat Mario Chalmers says he has a “gut feeling” LeBron is going to sign with the Warriors.
Credit: AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
After multiple blockbuster trades that have shaken up the NBA offseason, all eyes are now on which team LeBron James will choose next.
MIN
33.9
PTS
21.3
FG%
56.5%
REB
6.2
AS
7.2
So far, uncertainty is at an all-time high. The teams previously viewed as favorites to land LeBron are no longer seen that way, while several other options have emerged as legitimate potential candidates to acquire the all-time NBA great for what could be the final seasons of his career.
The Golden State Warriors have recently been pushed down the list of rumored destinations and are no longer widely viewed as favorites to land James. However, LeBron’s former teammate Mario Chalmers believes that, ultimately, Golden State could be exactly where he chooses to continue his career.
“I really think it’s between Golden State and Miami just by knowing Bron and being his teammate before and the way he approaches the game. Those are the two spots where I think he has the best chance of winning. I want to say Miami, but I have a gut feeling that it might be Golden State,” Chalmers said in an interview with DJ Siddiqi.
Warriors keeping their offseason plans flexible
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly keeping their offseason plans flexible as they await LeBron James’ free-agent decision.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, James remains the Warriors’ priority, which is why Draymond Green is expected to wait before signing his new deal and why Golden State is also holding off on making De’Anthony Melton’s new contract official.
Per the same report, the Warriors have already prepared trade scenarios with other teams that would provide immediate financial flexibility if James chooses Golden State.
Warriors waiting on LeBron decision
Golden State has been linked to an ambitious offseason plan involving James and Anthony Davis. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the Warriors had formulated a plan to build a star group of Stephen Curry, Green, Davis, and James.
Position
SF
Age
41
Height
206 cm
Weight
113 kg
Birth place
Akron, United States of America
The first step toward that flexibility came when Green declined his $27.7 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
Golden State is expected to pursue James in free agency and Davis via trade, though any AD deal would likely require major salary-matching moves.
Credit Scanpix
Shams: Anthony Davis could be key to LeBron pursuit
However, Charania has suggested that Golden State may not be near the top of James’ list unless the Warriors can also bring in Davis.
“The big domino with them is trying to get a player like Anthony Davis; you can bring in LeBron James and Anthony Davis as a package deal,” Charania recently said. “Short of that, they’re not really looked at right now at the top of this list.”
James and Davis previously won the 2020 NBA championship together with the Los Angeles Lakers, while James, Davis, and Curry also played together for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning the gold medal under Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
Even at 41, James remains an elite-level contributor. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game during the 2025-26 season.
LeBron unlikely to make his decision anytime soon
As James’ agent Rich Paul says, it’s unlikely that the decision will come soon.
“I don’t think this happens anytime soon, I don’t think it’ll be the next few days,” Paul told Mark Medina of Forbes.
“This is the first time he’s making a decision that is truly for him. There is no pressure,” Paul said.
“When he left Cleveland [in 2010 for Miami], he had to win a ring. When he came back [in 2014], he had to deliver on the promise. This is at this stage where he can decide what he wants to do and how he wants to do it.”
“I’m on his schedule,” Paul said. “I can’t tell the man how fast to move. When he’s telling me what he’s deciding, that’s when I’ll let you guys know,” he concluded.
In a recent interview with Max Kellerman on “Game Over” Podcast, Paul mentioned a dozen of teams that could be intriguing for James, but once again clarified that no one will rush to make a decision prematurely.
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