The Warriors could sign LeBron using the $15.1 million mid-level exception — an offer higher than most other teams — provided he and the Lakers fail to reach an agreement.

On June 2, Beijing time, Warriors beat reporter Tim Kawakami reported on whether James could join the Warriors. He pointed out that Golden State could use the $15.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign LeBron, a figure higher than most competing offers, but the most important condition is that James must fail to reach an extension with the Lakers. Below is the relevant content from Kawakami's report —

The Warriors, Cavaliers, Knicks, and perhaps a few other teams are likely on the short list of potential destinations for James.

From the Warriors' perspective: The team has recently set a direction to begin a new era with a large group of young, energetic players. Considering signing a 41-year-old veteran who leads the NBA in all-time games played seems highly contradictory.

From LeBron's perspective: He has spent over a decade battling against Curry's Warriors, and he knows Golden State cannot offer anything close to a max contract. The idea of him voluntarily joining this team seems absurd at first glance.

LeBron joining the Warriors? This speculation has been written about countless times over the past decade. In most years, it was — and still is — far-fetched. However, asking Warriors executives privately reveals that there were one or two brief moments when this signing seemed marginally possible, though it never came close to being feasible.

But times have changed… LeBron leaving the Lakers to join the Warriors now warrants serious discussion from all sides. The probability is low, but it is by no means impossible. Both the Warriors and LeBron have reached a crossroads with many decisions to make, making this signing a highly practical backup plan.

Ultimately, practicality is the core of this rumor. Let's break down the current objective conditions one by one:

LeBron is about to enter free agency, and the Lakers may struggle to meet his expected offer. The Lakers' current rebuild revolves around Luka Dončić, and they also need to free up cap space to re-sign Austin Reaves.

At this stage of his career, the Warriors, Cavaliers, and Knicks are among the few desirable landing spots for LeBron.

The Bay Area's large market has always attracted LeBron. The chance to play alongside Curry and Draymond Green is particularly enticing; he won an Olympic gold medal under Steve Kerr, and a short flight from Southern California (where LeBron resides) would take him to the Bay Area.

With minor roster and salary cap adjustments, the Warriors could sign LeBron using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($15.1 million). This salary is far below his $52.6 million annual salary this season, but it is better than most competitors' offers.

Most importantly: The Warriors would not need to trade any players or shed large contracts; they could simply sign him outright without giving up any trade assets.

To reiterate: I still do not believe LeBron ending up with the Warriors is the most likely outcome. Returning to the Lakers remains his top choice; the Purple and Gold are the only team that can offer far more than $15.1 million annually. Additionally, LeBron could simply choose to retire.

But what if LeBron wants to keep playing but the two sides cannot agree on salary? What if the Lakers want to clear his salary slot to sign a younger star who fits Dončić's timeline? Or what if the Lakers and LeBron enter a prolonged negotiation like Kerr once had with the Warriors, eventually parting ways amicably after weighing the pros and cons?

If any of these scenarios come true, the Warriors would become a highly competitive potential destination. In fact, relevant discussions may have already quietly begun. It would be very difficult for the Lakers to upgrade their roster while keeping James, and for the Warriors, acquiring LeBron is precisely one of the best ways to boost their strength.