Could LeBron James finish his career alongside Stephen Curry in the Bay Area — or return home to Cleveland for one final run?
That question reignited this week after The Ringer’s Zach Lowe said on The Zach Lowe Show that multiple teams are already discussing the possibility of hosting the Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s farewell tour, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors both in the conversation.
“Now, what happens after this season?”Lowe said. “I know people with the Cavs who are looking around like, ‘You want to do a retirement tour?’ I know people with the Warriors are looking around like, ‘Hey, you want to fulfill that dream over here?’ Dallas — that was a rumor. We’ll see what happens.”
Lowe’s comments have sparked new speculation around James’ uncertain future in Los Angeles, as the 40-year-old superstar plays out the final year of his $52.6 million contract with a no-trade clause that gives him complete control of where — and if — he finishes his 23rd NBA season.
Warriors Among Teams With Best Odds to Land LeBron
Getty LeBron James hugs Stephen Curry of Team United States after their victory against Team France during the Men’s Gold Medal game.
While Lowe’s remarks put Cleveland in the sentimental spotlight, oddsmakers say the Warriors’ interest in LeBron is very real.
In October, online sportsbook Bovada released betting odds with the Dallas Mavericks are the current favorites to acquire the four-time MVP at -120, followed by the Cavaliers (+350) and the Warriors (+450). The New York Knicks (+550) round out the top four, with the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns both listed at +900.
Golden State’s pursuit of James dates back to the 2024 trade deadline, when the team quietly explored the possibility of trading for him, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Fischer reported that the Warriors reached out to the Lakers “multiple times over the past 18 months” regarding James’ availability, though those conversations never advanced beyond early discussions.
Veteran NBA insider Marc Stein later revealed that LeBron’s longtime agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, advised both franchises to shut down the idea entirely.
“It is believed the Lakers would have reluctantly entertained trade conversations … if James wanted them to seriously engage Golden State,” Stein reported at the time. “Yet league sources say the reported talks never got that far — in large part because his agent Rich Paul was adamantly opposed.”
Paul’s reasoning, according to Stein, was to protect LeBron from potential backlash over joining a longtime rival. “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 added.
Steph-LeBron Olympic Chemistry
The idea of a LeBron-Curry partnership may have seemed unrealistic before, but their chemistry at the 2024 Paris Olympics renewed interest in what such a pairing could look like.
Under Team USA head coach Steve Kerr, who also coaches the Warriors, James and Curry shared the floor as teammates for the first time — and thrived together on their way to a gold medal.
“All the battles we’ve had … the fact that we actually got to be teammates … I think there’s a deepened respect and friendship there,” Curry told People Magazine in September 2024.
After the Olympics, Curry posted a photo celebrating with James and Kevin Durant, captioned “same team… winning team” — a post that went viral and further fueled fan speculation. While Curry has avoided openly lobbying for LeBron, his comments hinted at mutual admiration.
“Hopefully, there will be more experiences in the future, even if we’re teammates or not,” Curry said. “I think we motivated each other even more for however much longer we have left playing.”
During the Olympic run, James often played as Curry’s facilitator, creating highlight-reel moments that showcased how seamlessly their games meshed — a dynamic that left fans dreaming of a potential NBA version in the Bay.
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