It's still wild to consider than in an alternate but possible universe, the Golden State Warriors would be undertaking training camp in Hawaii right now with LeBron James part of the mix.
James instead rejected the Warriors in favor of the Philadelphia 76ers, with Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell providing a stinging reminder of that fact on the eve of the season.
LeBron James miss stings even more after Donovan Mitchell admission
Another homecoming to the Cavaliers was long seen as the likely result for James during a long and highly publicized free agency process, with Mitchell believing it would come down to them or the Warriors in a recent admission to Complex Magazine.
“I didn’t think Philly. I thought if he didn’t come here, it would be Golden State," Mitchell said.
James certainly dropped a bombshell in July when he announced his intention to sign with Philadelphia. Cleveland had the lure of home and status as a legitimate Eastern Conference contender, while Golden State offered a better lifestyle and the ability to play with fellow veterans (and now strong friends) in Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
The superstar forward ultimately took the best basketball path for him, signing a minimum contract with a 76ers team who'd made a blockbuster trade for former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown only weeks beforehand.
Even at 41-years-old and 23 years through his legendary career, James is still enough of a difference-maker where his addition could have catapulted the Warriors into some level of contention. Alas, it was their current place outside contention, and their past history with James as a major rival, that played a key role in the four-time MVP not heading to the Bay Area.
Warriors have to hope for internal improvement after LeBron James miss
Having failed to lure James or any other notable acquisitions this offseason, Golden State are effectively solely reliant on internal improvement if they hope to avoid a third playoff absence in the past four years.
The silver lining to missing on James is that it should provide more opportunity to 11th overall pick Yaxel Lendeborg, with the 24-year-old already impressing and earning a starting role for Sunday's preseason opener against the L.A. Clippers.
Brandin Podziemski is the other young player who the Warriors will be leaning on to make a leap after a productive end to last season, having already drawn praise for some notable performances during training camp.
There will be less expectation on the Warriors as a result of not having James on the roster, but any team with Curry should be relevant and be part of the playoff picture come the pointy end of the season.
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