ESPN analysts detail how and where Steph and LeBron could team up in the NBA originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Although they have been rivals for a decade, Steph Curry and LeBron James It was certainly fun to watch as teammates for the first time during Team USA’s run to Olympic gold.
As a result, many speculated about the possibility of the two legends teaming up in the NBA. Admittedly, it is quite unlikely, given the ages of Curry (36) and James (39) and the economic constraints that would arise.
But in the middle of the NBA offseason, with little else to discuss, it’s still fun to imagine a world where they spent an entire season together — well, maybe as long as it’s in Golden State.
On Tuesday, the “NBA Today” team analyzed the feasibility of a Curry-James mergeroffering information about where, when and how this may occur.
Bobby Marks, a member of ESPN’s NBA bureau, pointed to the 2026 offseason as a likely time for the alliance; Curry and James are set to have their current contracts expire that summer.
However, James would already be 41 years old and that scenario would require him to play at least three more seasons. Therefore, perhaps a shorter timeline was needed.
“LeBron James signed a two-year contract this offseason, and with that contract, there is a player option,” Marks said. “He can become a free agent again next offseason and choose the team he would like to go to.
“Of course, that probably means leaving $50 million on the table to go to a team like Golden State and join Stephen Curry.”
That’s the logistical side of things covered, but where would that happen?
Panelist Andraya Carter proclaimed the Los Angeles Lakers as the most likely destination for this collaboration.
“I know Steph Curry wants to finish his career as a warrior,” Carter acknowledged, “but to me, what a beautiful ending it would be for him to go to Los Angeles [and] bring a championship with LeBron to the famous organization and franchise that is the Lakers.”
Carter also cited the superiority of the Lakers’ supporting cast around James as the reason why Los Angeles makes the most sense, although she added that she doesn’t care where they team up because of how fun it would be.
Analyst Tim Legler, on the other hand, supported Golden State as the most reasonable scenario.
“The chemistry is there in person…but their games also align,” Legler explained. “If that happens, I think it has to be in Golden State.
“I think Steph Curry wants to be that guy who wears a uniform his entire career, but he would love to get that kind of talent to give him a chance to stay competitive at that level.”
About that, Longtime Warriors antagonist Kendrick Perkins offered a different possibility – one that could emerge sooner than many imagine. He stated that the Lakers and Warriors could explore trade possibilities around James or Curry as early as the 2024-25 NBA season.
Marks had a similar opinion, stating that Curry and James cannot win another NBA title alone; the union would be the only way to the fifth victory for both in the finals.
Again, none of these suggestions are particularly likely, so take them with a grain of salt. But after the Olympics, a Curry-James partnership could be as likely now as ever.
