LeBron James Teases Secret Meeting With Draymond Green Amid Uncertain Lakers Future

LeBron James knows how to stir a fanbase. Just one cryptic Instagram Story, and the NBA fans are off to the races. This time, it’s not about a sneaker drop or a new film project. It’s about a photo, a table, and two names. 

The photo, posted by James on his Instagram Story, shows a sleek Japanese restaurant setting. Two names sit printed on a black tabletop sign: LeBron James and Draymond Green. After James’ viral comments on the toxicity of “ring culture” during his Mind the Game podcast, Green echoed those sentiments almost word for word on The Pivot Podcast, defending players like Chris Paul and Allen Iverson from unfair championship-based criticism.

Green has been one of LeBron’s most vocal supporters recently. The image is captioned simply, “Meetings.” James tagging Green like this didn’t happen in a vacuum. Their relationship has evolved from Finals enemies to Klutch Sports business allies to something even deeper, respected peers. But what makes this “meeting” intriguing isn’t nostalgia or philosophical alignment. It’s the timing.

As per reports online, the Warriors still have a path for offseason roster changes, albeit a messy one. A Jimmy Butler-for-LeBron Jamesswap is currently off the table due to cap constraints. The other route, dealing Draymond Green, Moses Moody, and Buddy Hield, technically works but would hard-cap the Warriors at the second apron. That’s something they’ve been trying hard to avoid all offseason. It’s the reason they haven’t signed a single veteran free agent yet. Even so, if it meant pairing James with Stephen Curry after their gold medal run together in Paris, the Warriors might be willing to reconsider.

So were the two high-IQ basketball minds talking about trade scenarios over sushi? A situation where Green, Curry and James could play together as part of the Warriors? Well, Draymond Green certainly wouldn’t be opposed. Their battles in the 2010s are legendary. James’ Cavaliers and Green’s Warriors met in four straight Finals, and the 2016 scuffle that got Green suspended in Game 5 lives rent-free in every NBA historian’s head. 

On The BARS Podcast, Green recalled initially hating LeBron James, saying Bron even denied him a seat on a private flight. But since their Finals battles, they’ve grown close and have also vacationed together. But it’s not a fluke that there’s such an intrigue about Lebron James and Draymond Green having a secret meeting right now. It’s because speculations refuse to fade away about James and his situation with the Lakers.  

LeBron James’ Future With the Lakers

James’ future in Los Angeles is anything but solid. The Lakers are in an awkward in-between stage. They’ve signed Luka Doncic to an extension during the summer, and it’s clear the franchise is now pivoting towards the next era. For the first time since his early Cleveland days, LeBron isn’t the focal point. Even his agent Rich Paul made things plain: “LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future.”

That Lakers are Luka’s team now. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne recently said it straight: “It’s not in his control with L.A.” James is used to holding the steering wheel. And right now, he’s in the back seat and it seems, he is not at peace with his relationship with the Lakers. Meanwhile, the Warriors have made it no secret that they’ve tried to get LeBron. Three times in 18 months, including two calls just this year, per reports. At the 2024 trade deadline, they reached out again. But Rich Paul shut it down. James wasn’t interested. At least, not then. 

James isn’t someone who accidentally stirs speculation. A tagged photo with Draymond Green, after a summer of radio silence and front-office tension in L.A. feels deliberate. Green has been publicly defending LeBron, backing his “ring culture” takes and pushing back against narratives that undervalue greatness without a title. Their conversation at that table could’ve been about media, legacy, or it could’ve been about basketball. And LeBron surely sees himself more aligned with Curry’s win-now mindset than the Lakers’ build for the future around Luka.

But the Lakers don’t want Butler or Kuminga. And LeBron would have to waive his no-trade clause, something he refused to do just a few months ago. Still, it’s not off the table forever. A lot depends on how the season starts. If the Lakers fall behind early or if Luka’s takeover doesn’t translate to wins, pressure will mount on the Lakers front office. Meanwhile, the Warriors are trying to give Curry one more title run. If they sniff contention, the urgency spikes. James is saying something, even if he won’t say it out loud yet. His relationship with Draymond Green is deeper than most realize. And their timelines match more closely than what the Lakers are offering.