When LeBron James was linked to the Golden State Warriors after it became clear he was leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, there were reports of a potential trade for Anthony Davis with the Washington Wizards that would allow the former teammates to join Stephen Curry and Draymond Green as a package deal. The Warriors have been unable to gain traction on a trade with the Washington Wizards for Davis. A trade for Davis would functionally require the Warriors to include Jimmy Butler, who is recovering from a torn ACL.

The Warriors are currently considered behind the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers.

"That's exactly why this has been so appealing for LeBron James," said Shams Charania on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday. "Being able to play with Steph, being able to play with Draymond, being able to finish your career at a place where you're playing with other legends, Hall of Famers. Guys that know the game, guys that have the same understanding and culture, environment that he wants to be a part of.

"The issue, I think, when LeBron James... when you look at that team with the Warriors, is that team, if he's there, is that team good enough? And I think that's the big question.

"Happiness is the word of the day in terms of LeBron James. But what encapsulates happiness? It's a bunch of things. It's being on a team that has a chance to compete. It's giving yourself an opportunity to win, and win big. And that's why a lot of the focus has been around teams that are positioned right now. If you add a LeBron James to the Cavaliers, that's a hole at the three position that they need. You add him to the Sixers, he slides right in the starting lineup. That's a contender. Cavs, contender. Heat, a complete contender the moment he gets there.

"So, you know, the Warriors would need a little bit of work still. And the big thing with the Warriors was packaging LeBron James with another star player. And that's when you would get LeBron James' attention. That's the idea.

"And that's when the Warriors went into free agency. Can we start a Big Four? Steph, Draymond, LeBron, and Anthony Davis. We know the relationship between AD and LeBron goes deep. And so, are you able to get that done? And so far, we're 16 days into July. There's been no real traction in any trade conversations the Warriors have on AD or any other star, which then leads me to believe that they are behind. And they are, to my knowledge, behind other teams such as a Miami, a Cleveland, a Philadelphia.

"And the Sixers literally got on the map the moment they got Jaylen Brown. They were not even in the picture. That just goes to show [if] you make moves, you can get LeBron James' attention, especially in this free agency."

This offseason, the Warriors have re-signed Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford in free agency but are otherwise running back their team eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the play-in.