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Golden State Warriors: Team LeBron drafted to both recruit and win

By Nathan Beighle

LAS VEGAS, NV- OCTOBER 10: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers share a moment during a pre-season game on October 10, 2018 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV- OCTOBER 10: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers share a moment during a pre-season game on October 10, 2018 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Two of the three Golden State Warriors in the All-Star game are on Team LeBron. Coincidently, they’re also the ones hitting free agency this offseason.

Team LeBron drafted Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant. All four of those players (one might even include Anthony Davis), which includes the Golden State Warriors’ two superstars, will be free agents this upcoming offseason.

The Golden State Warriors shouldn’t be worried, but Team LeBron was clearly drafted to both win the game and recruit for the offseason.

Even LeBron James admitted he recruits. Players go to places where they can win and be happy. That’s why they’re given freedom over their career. If LeBron James can convince a player this weekend that they’ll have both those, his recruiting stint worked.

This game will be taken seriously but look for Team LeBron to do more than just win the game. Look for him to take a real interest in being by these five players that’ll all be free agents this upcoming season.

Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant are the two Warriors on Team LeBron. Notice Stephen Curry isn’t.

Their pending free agency this offseason will be less of what LeBron can offer and more of what the Golden State Warriors can offer.

Thompson has said multiple times he’d like to be a Warrior for life. But, if he’s not respected in contract talks (aka given a max), it wouldn’t be a shocker to see him turn elsewhere. That’s where this weekend, this relationship with LeBron, will come in handy for the King.

Born and raised in SoCal, Thompson has an interest in joining the Lakers if he can’t get that max contract from Golden State. While he’ll likely be given the max, the relationship that’s built on Team LeBron could solidify Los Angeles as Thompson’s undisputed second option.

For Kevin Durant, he’ll likely head to New York if he parts way with Golden State. It seems like Durant isn’t a fan of a James-led atmosphere. He called James-led teams ‘toxic’ earlier this season.

That said, maybe this is the time that James proves he can lead with encouragement. Durant needs to know he can thrive with James. If this weekend tells him that, he may have a chance to sign in Los Angeles instead of in New York.

Next. Warriors: 6 potential players to pursue in buyout market. dark

Either way, this All-Star weekend could have a huge impact on the 2019 offseason. Let’s just hope Team LeBron doesn’t impact the future of the Golden State Warriors’ two superstars.

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