Can a Dream Trade for NBA Fans Still Be Materialized?
They might have only been teammates in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but Stephen Curry and LeBron James have had a friendship for quite some time. Their fierce rivalry began during the 2015 NBA Finals, where Curry’s Warriors faced off against James’ Cavaliers in the first chapter of an ensuing finals quadrilogy. They presented themselves as the ultimate competitor in the world’s biggest stage, and gave us historic memories during that four year span. Yet, rooted in deep respect for each other’s greatness, an off-court relationship blossomed.
Over the last 18 months, Curry and James have expressed interest in sharing the court together. Those talks ramped up during last year's Olympics. Where both took part in what might have been Team USA’s last dance together, at least for their generation. Fast-forward a summer later, is there still a chance for these two stars to play on the same team, or was this just another fairytale idea that just never came to life?
The short answer to this is that time is almost up. Though both Curry and James have shown no public interest in retiring, one undeniable truth makes their plans less straightforward. By the end of the 2025-2026 season, Curry and James will have turned 38 and 41 respectively. They have gotten to an age where their bodies can break down with more ease than ever before. They will also not heal at the rate they once did, causing any injury to matter more than it perhaps should.
What also makes things complicated is their current team situations. Honestly speaking, I don’t see a world where Curry doesn’t finish his career with Golden State. He is looking to become just the seventh player, presuming he will not leave the Warriors until he retires to have played at least 17 seasons under only one franchise. Curry has only once stated that he’d consider moving to another team, in 2022. Back then, he had discussed his hometown Charlotte Hornets, where his father Dell Curry had also previously played for.
The only way this partnership could ever happen, in my opinion, is if James moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco. James is set to be a free agent next summer after picking up his player option, staying with a new-look Lakers team that locked up superstar Luka Doncic for the next three years. I bring this up because, if James were to get traded to the Warriors, I believe it would’ve already happened. I think that once the Lakers name their price for “The King,” should trade talks reopen, the Warriors will consider the price too steep.
In my eyes, James would have to have another disappointing season in LA, causing his frustration to grow to the point of parting ways. If that’s the case, I’m sure the Warriors would move some pieces around to acquire the four-time NBA champion. However, since I can’t see the Warriors willing to give up the pieces the Lakers would want, this has to be the only way. Otherwise, this idea will find a special place in the “Biggest NBA What-Ifs” vault.
