Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James’ NBA future is uncertain after the 2025-26 campaign, but the chance to team up with some longtime rivals could be enough to bring him back for a 24th season.
Melissa Rohlin of the New York Post reported that “there’s definitely some level of mutual interest” between James and the Golden State Warriors as the 41-year-old nears the end of his legendary career.
James, who is in the final year of his contract with the Lakers, declared during All-Star Weekend that he’s unsure if he will return to the NBA for a 24th season in 2026-27. Still, there have been signs that joining the Warriors could be intriguing for him.
Rohlin pointed out that James famously said in a 2022 episode of The Shop that if he could play with any player, it would be Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry. She also reported that the Golden State “made an unsuccessful attempt to trade for James ahead of the Feb. 2024 deadline.”
“James and the 37-year-old Curry met in four straight Finals from 2015-2018 and have a deep well of respect for each other,” Rohlin explained. “They’re both in the sunset of their careers and, alongside one another, could be championship contenders.”
However, Rohlin went on to add that she spoke to Warriors star forward Draymond Green last month about the prospect of playing alongside James, and he responded without hesitation, “I’ve always wanted to,” before admitting, “I don’t see a path to it.”
While the idea of James and Curry spending the tail-end of their legendary careers together is exciting to dream about, it seems like an unlikely scenario for now. The two stars will continue their rivalry as the Lakers and Warriors vie for supremacy in the Western Conference this year.