With the Lakers and Warriors unlikely to win a championship this NBA season, should LeBron James and Stephen Curry team up? The idea gained traction after their impressive teamwork as Team USA teammates at the Paris Olympics. ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins even suggested that one of them should request a trade to make it happen.
“I would not be surprised if we see LeBron James and Steph Curry โ before the end of LeBron’s career โ share the floor together,” Perkins told ESPN’s “First Take” earlier this week.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Bobby Marks explained how Curry and James could become teammates next year. He pointed out that LeBron has an opt-out clause in his current contract with the Lakers. If he uses it in 2025, he could join Curry on the Warriors. “LeBron James can become a free agent again next offseason, and pick his team that he would want to go to,” Marks said. “Of course, that comes with him probably leaving $50 million on the table to go to a team like Golden State and join Steph Curry.”
Future Possibilities:
If LeBron stays with the Lakers for both years of his contract, both he and Curry will be free agents in 2026โunless the Warriors extend Curryโs contract before then. Marks hinted that 2026 might be more realistic for their partnership: “Keep an eye on the summer of ’26,” he added.
Perkins disagreed, arguing they can’t wait until 2026 because they’d be too old by then. James turns 40 this December , while Curry will be 37 next March. “We’re talking about the two most powerful individuals in basketball,” Perkins said. “If they want to get somewhere, they can, no matter what points of their contracts they are in.”
Fans might think it’s exciting but also wonder if it’s just wishful thinking.
Perkins is sure that if both teams start poorly in their upcoming seasons, James and Curry would consider moving elsewhere during their final career stages. Currently, neither team is favored much for winning; Lakers have +3000 odds while Warriors have +4000 odds according to ESPN.
What do you think about this possible super duo?
