Jeremy Lin doesn’t consider including LeBron James would routinely flip the Golden State Warriors into NBA championship contenders, pointing to the workforce’s age, lack of athleticism and the problem of competing in opposition to the Western Convention’s high groups.
Talking about the potential of James becoming a member of Golden State, Lin mentioned the Warriors would nonetheless want important roster enhancements to compete with the league’s elite.
“That’s not a championship contending workforce, even with LeBron,” Lin mentioned. “I don’t see them beating OKC, I don’t see them beating San Antonio except there may be some severe accidents. I feel they want some youth, they want power, they want some burst, they want a number of guys who’re younger and may convey plenty of power.”
Golden State completed the 2025-26 common season 37-45, incomes the No. 10 seed within the Western Convention and lacking the playoffs after dropping within the Play-In Match. The Warriors completed 27 video games behind the top-seeded Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, who went 64-18, and 25 video games behind the San Antonio Spurs, who completed second within the West at 62-20 earlier than successful the convention and reaching the NBA Finals.
The Warriors’ core stays constructed round Stephen Curry, Draymond Inexperienced and veteran additions, however their age profile is a priority. Curry averaged 26.6 factors, 4.7 assists and 4.7 three-pointers made per sport whereas capturing 39.3% from three-point vary in 43 video games at age 37.
Jimmy Butler, acquired to assist lengthen Golden State’s championship window, averaged 20.0 factors, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 38 video games whereas capturing 51.9% from the sector. Nevertheless, Butler can also be coming into his age-37 season and is recovering from torn ACL, whereas Inexperienced is 35 and Al Horford is 39.
The Warriors have explored a number of avenues to reshape the roster round Curry, together with pursuing James and attempting to acquire Anthony Davis from the Washington Wizards. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Golden State is currently behind the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers in the race for James, with no important progress made on a Davis commerce.
A possible James transfer would add one other elite playmaker to Golden State’s offense. James averaged 20.9 factors, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 video games throughout the 2025-26 season at age 41. Nevertheless, Lin believes the Warriors would nonetheless lack the youth and athleticism wanted to problem groups like Oklahoma Metropolis and San Antonio.
Golden State has tried so as to add youthful items, choosing Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 decide within the 2026 NBA Draft and retaining younger gamers similar to Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody. Podziemski averaged 13.8 factors, 5.1 rebounds and three.7 assists throughout the 2025-26 season, whereas Moody averaged 12.1 factors and shot 40.1% from three-point vary.
The Warriors’ pursuit of James stays one of many offseason’s greatest storylines, however Lin believes a single addition wouldn’t resolve the roster points uncovered throughout a 37-win season.
