​LeBron James recently informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he would not be returning for the 2026-27 season, bringing his Los Angeles era to a close after a turbulent tenure in which he leaves with a championship and an NBA Cup. In the wake of his departure, multiple franchises have been linked to the four-time NBA champion as he contemplates where to take his talents for what would be his 24th season in the league. The teams reportedly in the mix are the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors.
One notable development in the ongoing drama is Draymond Green’s decision to decline his $27.7 million player option, a move aimed at preserving more financial flexibility for the Warriors to pursue James. It’s no secret that Golden State is intent on bringing James to the Bay Area, and Stephen Curry has publicly discussed the possibility of joining forces with his longtime rival, a notion that would mark a remarkable chapter in NBA history.
Curry recently addressed the idea during a PFN interview before the American Century Championship, describing the prospect as an appealing, almost dreamlike scenario. “Up until a couple of years ago, it felt like a pipedream,” Curry acknowledged, adding that pairing their talents in the twilight of their careers would be a standout story in basketball and sports history. Still, he cautioned that it was premature to make any definitive statements beyond recognizing the allure of such a partnership.
The rivalry between Curry and James defined an entire era, as the two stars faced each other in four straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018, delivering some of the most memorable postseason moments of the modern era. The possibility of their joining forces for one final season is undeniably compelling to fans and observers alike, and it’s clear that Curry himself would welcome the chance to see it become a reality.
Curry and James also linked up for Team USA during the 2024 Olympics, a matchup that remains part of the broader narrative. The U.S. team defeated France in the gold medal game, with Curry contributing 24 points in the victory. James called the experience “everything and more,” underscoring the deep on-court chemistry and mutual respect between the two players.
Curry has laid out his recruiting pitch to James: the focus would be on playing high-quality basketball with teammates who understand how to play the game, raising the team’s floor and competitiveness, and enjoying the Bay Area lifestyle. He emphasized that the final decision rests with James and where he sees himself fitting best.
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Warriors aren’t viewed as frontrunners unless they can also land Anthony Davis in a trade with the Washington Wizards. Such a move would transform the dynamic of a hypothetical Curry-James pairing, but it remains uncertain whether the required pieces can materialize to make that scenario feasible. As free agency progresses and James weighs his options, the basketball world will be watching closely to see where one of the game’s most influential figures will next try to leave his mark.