LeBron James has been an archrival of Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Their rivalry made the NBA even more popular in the last decade. From 2015 to 2018, the LBJ-led Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dubs met in the back-to-back NBA Finals. Other than the 2016 Finals, the GSW won all the other three finals against the LBJ-led side. In 2016, though, the Dubs had a memorable season. They were able to break the 72-10 record of the 1996 Chicago Bulls. In the 2016 regular season, the GSW went 73-9. They were so close to becoming the greatest NBA team ever. But it does not mean a thing without the ring.
The Cavs came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the 2016 NBA Finals and end the ‘Cleveland Curse’ of 52 years. LeBron James was the talismanic hometown hero for the Cleveland side. But after losing in the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals against the Dubs of Steph, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant, LBJ looked elsewhere for another contract. Later, James joined the Los Angeles Lakers and eventually won his 4th ring in 2020. Then, in 2022, Curry won his 4th with the Warriors. He led the franchise to become a seven-time champion.
Why Didn’t LeBron James Switch To The Warriors To Play Alongside Stephen Curry?
Since the James-Curry duo led Team USA to win Olympic Gold in Paris this year, fans have been wondering when they can team up again, maybe in the NBA this time? However, it does not seem likely that Curry can see his old rival cum friend join the Dubs. The Warriors have lost Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks this year. Hence, Stephen Curry will need some help in the offense who can play the role of his ‘Splash Brother’ well. The Dubs must be looking to add a star to their roster this offseason. Now, who’ll it be – LeBron James or Kevin Durant? Steph seemed to have great chemistry with both of these contemporary greats. But then why Rich Paul, LBJ’s agent, doesn’t want the all-time scoring leader to move to the Warriors?
As per Marc Stein, an NBA contributor, the agent has been hesitating to let James move to a fourth team in his career. Stein wrote that Rich Paul wants both Lakers and Warriors to “Scrap the concept.” Albiet, Jeanie Buss and Joe Lacob have been talking about James, Paul doesn’t want that trade to happen. Moreover, the veteran forward of the Dubs, Draymond Green was pushing for LBJ’s move to the Bay Area. Paul wants to insulate LeBron James from switching teams for the fourth time. Hence, fans long awaited dream of seeing James and Curry in the same NBA team may not come true after all.
LeBron’s Not Leaving The Lakers Anytime Soon
The all-time scoring leader, LeBron James, will turn 40 next year. He has already played in 21 NBA seasons. But he looks very fine and athletic even at this age and can go on to play for a couple more seasons easily. Now, the question is if he will stay with the Lakers until he hangs up his boots. First of all, his agent Rich Paul doesn’t want James to move to any other team.
Then, the Lakers drafted his son Bronny James this summer to a four-year deal. Moreover, the Akron man always said that his last wish in the NBA to do is to play alongside his son. It can come true if he stays with the purple and gold. Then, it will mean Steph and LBJ together in an NBA team will not happen. Only if Stephen Curry moves to the Lakers and leaves the Dubs like Klay did.
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