The clock is ticking on two of basketball’s most remarkable careers. LeBron James and Stephen Curry have dominated the NBA for over a decade, but neither has the supporting cast to capture one more championship. After the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors fell short of contending in 2024-25, it became clear that neither star has enough support to win four postseason series and add a fifth title to their legacies.
Since it has been five years since James won a championship and three since Curry did the same, many members of the basketball world have hoped for the two faces of the league to partner up toward the backend of their careers to form an old but experienced superteam.
While there had been no real traction in these potential trade discussions since the 2023-24 NBA season, ESPN NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne revealed that things could change drastically shortly.
Could Luka Dončić’s Arrival Push LeBron James Toward Golden State?
Until the end of the 2024-25 season, James and Curry were viewed as the undisputed best players on their respective teams. Although a case could be made that the $215 million superstar is still the best player for the Warriors, the Lakers’ decision to trade away Anthony Davis to acquire Luka Dončić marks the dawn of an era in which James is not the top dog on his squad.
This shift in dynamics has created an interesting situation for James. Although he picked up his $52.6 million player option, indicating that he will remain with the Lakers for the upcoming season, the fact that he has not signed a new contract extension has fans presuming that his time with the Lakers is approaching an end.
Windhorst and Shelburne revealed more on the subject and claimed that the Warriors were potential suitors for James.
“A handful of teams, including the Golden State Warriors, who tried to trade for James in 2023-24, considered again whether to make an offer, sources said,” wrote the insiders.
The senior NBA insiders also mentioned that the Lakers’ upper management met in secret with Dončić, as they did with James in the past, to get on the same page regarding their plans for the future. Windhorst also pointed out that James was not present for this secret meeting.
What Will Determine James’s Future With the Lakers?
Whether the Warriors make an offer for James will depend on both teams’ performance in the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. Golden State made it to the second round of the playoffs but was eliminated by Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the same team that defeated James and the Lakers.
If the Warriors fall short of winning a title once again, and the Lakers are not significantly closer to doing the same, James might need to move on from the team and unite with his old rival. That would give both legendary NBA stars another chance at contending for a fifth title and make for a great story.
