As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for training camp, uncertainty continues to swirl around LeBron James’ future with the team, with the Golden State Warriors repeatedly exploring the possibility of pairing the 39-year-old superstar with Stephen Curry.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Golden State has reached out to the Lakers multiple times over the past 18 months about a potential trade, though talks have yet to gain serious traction.
“As long as LeBron James’ future in Los Angeles remains uncertain, Golden State will undoubtedly be mentioned as a potential James suitor,” Fischer wrote on “The Stein Line” newsletter on Aug. 22.
The Warriors’ pursuit dates back to the 2024 trade deadline, but discussions quickly stalled after James’ longtime agent, Rich Paul, expressed caution about any move that might generate backlash. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that while the Lakers may have been willing to engage Golden State if James wanted it, the talks never progressed because Paul opposed the idea.
“Sources say Paul implored both teams to scrap the concept … largely because he wanted to insulate James from potential backlash over switching teams for the fourth time in his career,” Stein wrote in August 2024.
LeBron Expected at Lakers Training Camp
Speculation reignited this summer after James picked up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
Paul told ESPN in June that James “wants to compete for a championship” and that the team and player “want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.” While he clarified that no trade request had been made, the statement left room for questions about James’ long-term future with the Lakers, especially as the franchise has pivoted to Luka Dončić, who recently signed a three-year, $165 million extension.
Despite the rumors, James is expected to enter training camp with the Lakers, according to The Athletic, signaling that both sides are moving forward cautiously. Still, the Warriors’ interest underscores the unique circumstances surrounding the final chapter of James’ storied career.
Olympic Partnership With Steph Curry Fuels Rumors
Getty LeBron James hugs Stephen Curry after Team United States’ victory against Team France during the Men’s Gold Medal game.
Golden State’s pursuit is fueled by basketball logic and a shared Olympic history.
James and Curry teamed up for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics under Warriors coach Steve Kerr, where they displayed remarkable chemistry. James frequently found Curry for open 3-pointers on the way to a gold-medal run, deepening mutual respect and sparking speculation about a potential NBA reunion.
“All the battles we’ve had … the fact that we actually got to be teammates … in high-stakes basketball with a lot on the line … I think there’s a deepened respect and friendship there,” Curry told People magazine in September 2024.
Curry also shared a viral photo with James celebrating their medals, leaving the door open for future collaboration. “Hopefully, there will be more experiences in the future, even if we’re teammates or not,” Curry said.
For now, James remains a Laker, entering the final year of his contract with no extension talks in place. The franchise is clearly transitioning toward a post-LeBron era, while the Warriors continue to maximize Curry’s championship window. That convergence keeps the possibility of a late-career blockbuster pairing between two of the NBA’s all-time greats alive in the minds of fans and analysts alike.
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