Paul Pierce has never been one to sugarcoat his opinions, and his latest take on the NBA’s aging superstars is no different. The Hall of Famer used a recent episode of his podcast, No Fouls Given, to deliver a blunt verdict on three of the greatest players of their generation: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. His opinion speaks about what their teams need to do to remain relevant in the championship picture.
Paul Pierce Says LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant Have All Reached the Same Crossroads
Pierce’s argument is straightforward. He believes LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant have each crossed the threshold where they can no longer be the primary force on a title-contending team.
“I think at this age he (Kevin Durant) doesn’t influence winning like he did in OKC or Golden State. He can’t be the best player on your championship team right now. I say that about him, LeBron, and also say that about Curry right now,” Pierce said.
He added, “They can’t be your best players on championship teams at this stage of their career. They need to play with somebody that’s better than them. That’s why the Lakers look better because they have a player that’s better than LeBron.”
Paul Pierce says LeBron, Steph, and Kevin Durant can’t win a championship as the number 1 option anymore:
“I think at this age he (KD) doesn’t influence winning like he did in OKC or Golden State. He can’t be the best player on your championship team right now. I say that about… pic.twitter.com/o3F0gmrGzQ
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) March 27, 2026
The Lakers’ recent run gives his argument real traction. Los Angeles has won 10 of their last 11 games with Luka Doncic leading the charge, averaging 33.6 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.8 rebounds on the season while rattling off 30-plus point performances in 11 straight games.
LeBron, meanwhile, is averaging 21.0 points, 6.9 assists, and 6.0 rebounds, productive by most standards, but a step removed from the singular force he once was.
Pierce’s broader point is not that these players are no longer valuable, but that their value has shifted. “They’re just at the stage of the career where it’s hard for them to do all the things necessary to help them win outside of scoring,” he said.
The Curry comparison carries a different weight. The Warriors have been ravaged by injuries this season, with Curry eventually shut down for the year after averaging 27.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds.
Pierce suggested that Golden State’s path back to relevance could run through a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, noting that if Giannis were to join the Warriors, they would suddenly have a genuine opportunity to compete for a title again.
The claim is bold, given the resumes involved. LeBron is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Curry fundamentally transformed the game through his three-point shooting, and Durant remains one of the most unstoppable scorers in basketball history. Together, the three have combined for multiple championships and MVP awards across two decades.
But Pierce’s point is less about what these players have achieved and more about where they stand now. The Lakers’ resurgence under Doncic offers the clearest real-time evidence. It’s a team that struggled to find its identity early in the season. Still, it has flourished once the hierarchy became clear, with LeBron settling into a facilitating role behind a younger, more explosive primary option.
Whether Curry and Durant can find similar situations before their careers conclude remains an open question, but Pierce’s assessment reflects a reality that even the greatest players eventually face.
