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Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors is a four-time NBA champion.
LeBron James‘ contract with the Los Angeles Lakers expires after this season, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 41-year-old superstar will have options if he decides to leave Los Angeles, and one of the NBA’s most connected insiders believes he knows which teams are in play.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst appeared on The Rich Eisen Show and identified four potential destinations for James. Two of them he named publicly. Two of them he’s keeping private for now. But the Golden State Warriors are among the teams Windhorst believes could pursue James this offseason.
LeBron would reportedly have interest in 4 teams if he and the Lakers parted ways:
– Cavaliers
– Warriors
– Two undisclosed teams
(via @WindhorstESPN, @RichEisenShow)
Windhorst Names Warriors as LeBron Suitor
GettyLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is playing in his 23rd NBA season.
Windhorst has covered James extensively since his high school days and maintains strong connections to his inner circle. When he speaks about James’ future, people listen. His latest comments provide the clearest picture yet of which teams might be in play.
“Cleveland is one of them. I’m not sure I’d put the Heat on the list,” Windhorst said. “Golden State depending on how things go would be one. There’s a place of two that I won’t say right now that I’m keeping my eye on. I have a team or two that I think he could consider going to and I have researched the concept and I will continue to keep my eye on the concept.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers make sense for obvious reasons. A return home to finish his career where it began would complete a full-circle narrative. Cleveland also has the talent to compete for championships with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden already on the roster.
But the Warriors present an intriguing alternative. Golden State has reportedly been interested in James for multiple seasons. The opportunity to team him with Stephen Curry would create one of the most compelling storylines in recent NBA history.
LeBron and Curry: From Rivals to Teammates
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesStephen Curry, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors
James and Curry defined the NBA for nearly a decade through their rivalry. They faced each other in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 through 2018, battling for championships and cementing their legacies as two of the greatest players of their generation.
That rivalry evolved into mutual respect and eventually friendship. The two played together in the Olympics, giving them a taste of what it would be like as teammates rather than adversaries. Watching them share the court for Team USA provided a glimpse of how their games could complement each other.
Now, in the twilight of both their careers, they could team up for one last championship run. Curry turns 37 this March. James is 41. Both are chasing ring number five. Neither has much time left at the highest level of the sport.
The narrative appeal of two legends who spent years competing against each other joining forces for a final run at glory would captivate the basketball world. It’s the type of storyline that transcends the sport and becomes a cultural moment.
What Warriors Would Need to Make It Work
Windhorst’s comment about Golden State came with a qualifier. He said they’d be a potential destination “depending on how things go.” That suggests the Warriors would need to finish the season strong and demonstrate they’re legitimate contenders, not just playoff hopefuls.
Golden State sits at 29-26 in eighth place in the Western Conference. They’re locked into another play-in tournament appearance unless they can string together wins over the final two months. That’s not the type of situation that would appeal to any veteran free agent chasing championships, regardless of the opportunity to play with Curry.
The Warriors need to get Curry healthy after his ongoing battle with runner’s knee. They need Kristaps Porzingis to make his debut and prove he can stay available. They need to finish the season strong enough to show they’re a team on the rise rather than one treading water in the middle of the pack.
James also has connections to the Warriors organization beyond Curry. Draymond Green is a Klutch Sports client, the same agency that represents James. The two have developed a relationship over the years. Green’s leadership and defensive presence would make him an ideal third piece in a core built around James and Curry.
The Warriors would be banking on the combined basketball IQ and championship experience of James and Curry making up for their advanced ages. Both players remain highly effective despite being in their late 30s and early 40s. James is averaging 23.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.9 assists this season. Curry, when healthy, remains one of the most dangerous offensive players in basketball.
Lakers’ Situation Complicates Future
GettyLuka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers acquired Luka Dončić in a blockbuster trade last February, shifting the franchise’s long-term focus to building around the 26-year-old superstar. That timeline doesn’t necessarily align with what remains of James’ career.
James continues playing at an All-Star level while shooting 50.4% from the field. But the Lakers’ championship window centers on Dončić, not James. The franchise is building for the future, and that future may not include the player who brought them a championship in 2020.
If Los Angeles makes a deep playoff run this season, that could influence James’ decision. A championship would provide a storybook ending to his Lakers tenure. But if they fall short again, he might decide it’s time for a change.
The Lakers will have the opportunity to convince James to stay. He’s built a life in Los Angeles, his family is settled there, and he’s accomplished significant things with the franchise. But Windhorst’s comments suggest James is at least open to exploring other options if the right situation presents itself.
What’s Next for James and Golden State
Golden State has approximately four months before free agency begins. With the trade deadline passed, the Warriors’ roster is set for the remainder of the season. They need to prove they can compete at a high level with their current group, both for their own playoff push and to show they remain an attractive destination for free agents.
If the Warriors can finish strong and present a compelling vision for how James and Curry would work together, they become a legitimate destination. If they can’t, he’ll likely explore other options including Cleveland or the two mystery teams Windhorst is monitoring.
James has earned the right to choose his own path. Whether that means staying with the Lakers, returning to Cleveland, joining Golden State to team up with his former rival, or signing with one of the teams Windhorst won’t name yet remains his decision.
The Warriors’ interest in James isn’t new. They’ve been linked to him for years. What’s different now is that James will actually be available, and Golden State will have the opportunity to make a pitch. The chance to watch two legends who defined an era through their rivalry team up for one final championship push would be one of the most compelling stories in modern NBA history.
The offseason will bring clarity about whether the Warriors prioritize pursuing James or focus on younger stars who might fit their timeline better. But the possibility of uniting two icons for one last championship run remains an intriguing scenario that could reshape the final chapters of both their legendary careers.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins