Despite persistent rumors, LeBron James passed on a chance to join forces with Stephen Curry in Golden State. The four-time MVP, initially viewed as a favorite to take his talents to the Bay Area, instead signed with the Philadelphia 76ers last week.
According to NBA insider Anthony Slater, the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar would have been interested in playing with the iconic point guard “elsewhere away from the Warriors,” a report that sparked buzz across the NBA world.
LeBron James’ Dream of Teaming Up With Stephen Curry Beyond the Warriors Sets NBA Community Ablaze
Golden State’s pursuit of James was a prominent story when free agency started. Draymond Green declined a $27.7 million player option to create the salary-cap flexibility to bring in the 22-time All-Star. Green even made what he called a “crazy” pitch to convince his good friend to join the Warriors.
Curry also indicated on more than a few occasions his excitement in a potential team-up with his longtime rival.
Free agency’s biggest and most intriguing what-might-have-been story was never even seriously considered by James, according to Slater, so long as the collaboration would happen in Golden State. The Warriors insider’s report drew strong reactions from the NBA community on X.
“Actually hilarious,” a Warriors supporter wrote.
Actually hilarious https://t.co/R4JSP4SmRe
— Caden (@Howell17Caden) July 28, 2026
“LeBron spent a decade getting destroyed by Steph in the Finals, so now he wants to hold hands and team up somewhere else because he can’t win on his own anymore. Generational runner,” a Lakers supporter added.
LeBron spent a decade getting destroyed by Steph in the Finals, so now he wants to hold hands and team up somewhere else because he can’t win on his own anymore. Generational runner
— Clvn256 (@Calvin_256) July 28, 2026
“The more that comes out about GS, the worse it seems to sound. Seems to be run poorly and coached poorly. Steph is the reason they have had any success,” SleeperHawks posted.
The more that comes out about GS the worse it seems to sound. Seems to be run poorly and coached poorly. Steph is the reason they have had any success
— SleeperHawks (@SleeperHawks) July 28, 2026
“The history or the lack of improvements to the roster?” a Knicks supporter wondered.
The history or the lack of improvements to the roster?
— Inside The Arc (@insidethearc__) July 28, 2026
“This just proves LeBron knows joining the Warriors would have completely ruined his legacy, much like it did for Kevin Durant back in 2016,” a James supporter tweeted.
This just proves LeBron knows joining the Warriors would have completely ruined his legacy, much like it did for Kevin Durant back in 2016.
— 👑 (@ne10uz) July 28, 2026
Slater’s report supported Green’s rationale on why the four-time NBA Finals MVP snubbed the Warriors.
“You look at Golden State, and I ultimately don’t think Bron was ever able to get over the history, and I understand it. I get it,” Green said on Tuesday’s episode of “The Draymond Green Show.”
“What we all ultimately always knew is, that’s the hurdle to get over! … He’s gonna get crushed if he comes to the Warriors. ‘Ah, man, you went to the Warriors to team up with Steph Curry. You had to go to them.’ And I think ultimately that weighed in on the decision a lot. That played a big role in the Warriors not landing LeBron.”
James has often touted his standing among the NBA’s greats. By going to Golden State, he would have been decimated by fans.
NBA observers can point out that James lost three of four championship series to Curry and Co. from 2015 to 2018. Chasing a title with the core that gave him some of his toughest losses might not look great in the eyes of many.
More than history, James likely knew that he, Green, and Curry would have a hard time winning championship No. 5 together.
By refusing to trade Jimmy Butler, the Bay Area team will open the season without the injured veteran forward and Moses Moody. The Warriors have an aging, hobbled roster that could end up in the play-in tournament again.
There is still a slim chance that the mouthwatering James-Curry partnership could happen down the road, just not with the Warriors.
