The possibility of LeBron James joining the Golden State Warriors continues to fuel conversations across the NBA. Reports have linked Golden State to an aggressive offseason plan that includes trading for Washington Wizards’ Anthony Davis before chasing James in free agency.
If both moves happen, the league could witness one of its biggest superstar pairings in years.
While the idea has already energized Dub Nation, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith believes the impact would extend far beyond basketball.
Stephen A. Smith Believes the LeBron James and Stephen Curry Pairing Will Be a Commercial Success Too
Speaking on his latest podcast, Smith argued that a James-Curry partnership would become an entertainment event unlike anything else in sports. He pointed to the enormous audience such a duo could attract every night.
“Do you understand the LeBron James and Steph Curry pairing?” he said. “What will that mean for ratings? You talk about box office appeal…”
Going into next season, the NBA already has several compelling storylines. The defending champion New York Knicks and Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs will draw plenty of attention on their own.
Stephen A. Smith on LeBron James and Steph Curry pairing, what that does for ratings in the NBA:
“I mean, you talk about box office appeal. You talk about a situation where the Beatles that once became the Heatles when LeBron was with D. Wade and Bosh and those boys in Miami.… pic.twitter.com/LHT0PcyoAN
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) June 29, 2026
However, Smith believes none of those narratives would come close to matching the excitement created by James and Curry wearing the same uniform.
“Do you understand that the combination of LeBron James with Steph Curry, what that would mean for the box office, what that would mean for ratings, [and] what that would mean for the popularity of the NBA brand, not just nationwide, not just in the states, but globally?”
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Still, Golden State has significant work to do before any pursuit of James becomes realistic.
The Warriors would first need to complete a blockbuster deal for Davis, reuniting him with the four-time NBA champion after their successful run with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Only then could the franchise fully chase the vision that has sparked so much buzz.
Now, from the sporting side, the move also makes sense, as both Curry and James are in the latter stages of their careers. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, the two helped Team USA capture another gold medal, giving fans a glimpse of what a full NBA season might look like.
Last season, James played in 60 regular-season games and averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 51.5% from the field.
Curry, despite missing time with injuries, still posted 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds across 43 regular-season appearances, showing he remains one of the league’s most dangerous scorers.
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Most stars slow down at this stage of their careers, but James and Curry continue to lead offenses at the highest level.
Their consistent production explains why the idea of seeing them share the floor has become one of the league’s biggest offseason storylines.
