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Golden State Warriors
Aug 22, 2025 1:08 PM EDT
LeBron James is set to enter his 23rd NBA season after opting into his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 40-year-old, a four-time MVP and the league’s all-time leading scorer, remains one of basketball’s best players and continues to show that he can compete at the highest level.
However, with the Lakers’ recent postseason struggles and the front office’s decision to prioritize Luka Doncic, speculation about James’ future has intensified. Via ESPN’s Shams Charania, James’ agent Rich Paul recently noted that James wants to compete for championships at this stage of his career, leading to continued links with contending teams.
While rumors surrounding James’ future have dwindled in recent weeks, a new report linking the NBA superstar to the Golden State Warriors has reignited new flames.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry (30). — Source: © Kyle Terada–USA TODAY Sports
On Friday, Jake Fischer of the Stein Line reported that the Warriors have consistently been pushing to bring James to the Bay Area in an attempt to pair him with fellow superstar Stephen Curry:
“I’m told that the Warriors have called the Lakers on multiple occasions over the past 18 months to see whether there is any trade pathway to pairing James with Stephen Curry, who roughly a year ago at this time was teaming with LeBron for the United States senior men’s national team on its run to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.”
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James and Curry share one of the NBA’s defining rivalries, meeting in four straight Finals between 2015 and 2018. But they flipped the script last summer in Paris, playing as teammates during Team USA’s gold-medal run. Their Olympic chemistry have since fueled speculation about how dominant they could be together at the NBA level.
While James holds a no-trade clause and the Lakers have shown no intent to move him, Golden State’s persistence goes to show how appealing the idea remains. Bringing James and Curry together alongside Jimmy Butler would create one of the most star-studded trios the league has ever seen, even if the logistics make it unlikely in the short term.
A LeBron James Trade Could Benefit the Warriors and Lakers
If James ever joined the Warriors, he would immediately raise their title ceiling. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds, and finished sixth in MVP voting, proving he is still a force to reckon with. His versatility alongside Curry’s shooting would give Golden State a new offensive identity capable of contending with any team in the league.
As for the Lakers, parting ways with a top player like James will hurt, but it would free up cap space and allow the team to surround Doncic with more key pieces. With the 26-year-old locked in as the franchise cornerstone, the Lakers could prioritize building a contender tailored to his prime years while closing the chapter on James’ historic run in purple and gold.
About the Author
Ayomide Adeduyite
Trending News Writer, Athlon Sports
Ayomide Adeduyite is a contributing writer for the Athlon Sports trending and breaking news team.