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NBA

LeBron to the Sixers: Warriors and Heat Urgently Search for Plan B

Golden State and Miami are forced to rethink their plans after LeBron James signs with Philadelphia. The Warriors are banking on Draymond Green and preparing for the post-Curry era, while Miami targets several forwards to support Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.
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LeBron to the Sixers: Warriors and Heat Urgently Search for Plan B
Photo Credit : © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The 2026 free agency saga came to an end with a decision that shook the entire league: LeBron James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Warriors and the Heat are paying a particularly heavy price and must now start from scratch.

Is Golden State Already Thinking About Life After Curry?

The Warriors had bet everything on LeBron. Steph Curry had personally made his case on Good Morning America. Draymond Green had even declined his player option worth $27.7 million to free up salary cap space. A few days later, the King’s agent, Rich Paul, admitted the decision had been a painful one: « It was really tough. Who wouldn’t want to play with Steph Curry and Draymond Green in the Bay Area? », he shared on the Game Over podcast.

Now, Golden State is expected to simply give Green back the money he had sacrificed. According to The Athletic, the franchise is expected to re-sign him for around $28 million. A logical outcome for a player who has spent his entire career in a Warriors uniform and was willing to make a financial sacrifice to give his franchise a shot at a title.

But the real question lies elsewhere. According to journalist Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard, owner Joe Lacob may already have his eyes set on the post-Curry horizon. « What Lacob wants to do — and this might anger Warriors fans — is build the next team after Steph Curry, » he said on The TK Show. An understandable ambition for the long-term health of the franchise, but a hard pill to swallow for fans watching their legend approach 39 without a fifth championship ring.

In the meantime, Golden State remains in a state of uncertainty. Jimmy Butler (torn right ACL) and Moses Moody (torn left patellar tendon) will miss the start of the season. Kristaps Porziņģis was re-signed for two years at $40 million, but his health remains a concern after playing just 15 games last season. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg impressed in Summer League, averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4 assists, but remains an unknown quantity at this level. For the franchise’s front office, next season could look more like a testing ground before making sharper, more decisive moves.

Miami Turns to Thompson, DeRozan, and Beal

On the Heat’s side, the situation is similar. After failing to convince LeBron to return to South Beach, Pat Riley must find reinforcements to support Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. According to the Miami Herald, the franchise’s top priority would be signing Klay Thompson, who is still under contract with the Mavericks. Dallas is looking to trade him and could consider a buyout if no deal materializes. At 36, Thompson still shot 38% from three-point range last season — an ideal fit to stretch the floor around Giannis.

Miami has also been in contact with Bradley Beal, who is an unrestricted free agent. The former Clipper is coming back from a hip fracture that limited him to just six games last season. Less reliable than Thompson as a pure shooter, he offers the advantage of being able to create off the dribble. Beal remains a player who provides little certainty, having gone through difficult stretches in both Phoenix and L.A.

Finally, DeMar DeRozan is also on Miami’s radar. According to Shams Charania, the forward is interested « but has other suitors. » Having averaged 18.4 points on 52% shooting from two-point range last season, he wouldn’t solve Miami’s lack of perimeter shooting, but would add another creator capable of taking pressure off their two All-Stars. The 36-year-old also represents a genuine defensive liability, but after waiting on LeBron, the days are ticking by and options are narrowing for Pat Riley…

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Nicolas Flamecourt
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.