The Golden State Warriors’ disappointing season, 36-38, has them at a crossroads, and according to one NBA insider, the path forward could involve a blockbuster win-now move for a future Hall of Famer like LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard.

According to NBA insider Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard, the Warriors could be in the market to fill in “a gargantuan new gravity source” this offseason. When addressing whether a move for James or Leonard would work, Kawakami wrote, “I think it might be. I think all the dire circumstances and frightful indicators of this season are leading the Warriors down this do-or-die path. And I think there is a way this kind of desperate move actually could work.”

The insider notes that either All-Star player could opt for a mid-level exception of $15 million, which is the lowest he sees either taking to come to the Bay Area. He understands it’s a bit haphazard, but given the Warriors’ condition, they need another star player to capitalize on Curry’s potential last year in the NBA.

“It’s possible,” Kawakami wrote. “It’s big, and it’s a bit reckless. But going hard after either Kawhi or LeBron is exactly what the moment is demanding of the Warriors right now. And Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy probably already put all of this and more on the white board months ago.”

What would have been a laughable suggestion just months ago, a blockbuster move for James or Leonard, is now the Dubs’ stark reality. Both are complicated figures to add to the Warriors’ dressing room. But without a drastic move, this team is in major trouble. They only have four healthy players, emphasis on the word healthy, to start the training camp next season. That’s Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, and Will Richard. Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody are also under contract but are sidelined with long-term injuries.

So the Warriors cannot be gutting their roster next season and expect a future Hall of Famer to join their ranks. They need to keep hold of veterans like Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis while adding somebody more. However, they also need to stay below the projected $209 million first apron. There are different scenarios they need to follow to reach either James or Leonard.

What are the scenarios in which the Warriors could rope in James or Leonard?

If the Golden State Warriors push for the Los Angeles Clippers’ star Kawhi Leonard this offseason, then it will be totally dependent on the widely rumored scenario with the league voiding his contract with his current team as part of their judgment after the conclusion of the cap-circumvention investigation.

That would mean the Clippers wouldn’t be able to sign and trade Leonard, and he would be unrestricted, with multiple teams showing interest in the All-Star forward. While the entire scenario is unclear until the league announces its ruling, Leonard, at 34, is experiencing one of his healthiest and best years. He is averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game across 58 games while shooting 50% from the field and 38.4% from beyond the three-point line. Hence, adding him to their lineup would instantly improve the Dubs’ defense and offense.

If he agrees to a starting salary of around $15 million and agrees to share the locker room with Curry, Draymond, and Porzingis, then the Warriors have a decent shot at landing him. On the other hand, they’ve been linked with LeBron James for years. The Dubs and LA could work on a sign-and-trade deal for James, but that would mean that the Warriors would have to trade either Butler, Draymond, or Porzingis to the Lakers.

There are also rumors that the 41-year-old could retire after this season, but in all likelihood, he will play with his friends, Curry and Draymond, on request. They have won the gold medal together for the USA under Steve Kerr’s tutelage, so there’s definitely a possibility.

In his 23rd season in the NBA, James has faced injury concerns and has also taken on a more subdued role behind players like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to benefit the entire roster. The veteran has undoubtedly slowed down, but he is still averaging 20.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game across 53 appearances this season, while shooting 51.2% from the field.

The Warriors face a franchise-altering choice: chase one last title with a high-risk, high-reward superstar, or accept that the dynasty’s final chapter is over and they require a painful rebuild. The decision they make this offseason will define the post-Curry era before it even begins.