Steph Curry Linked with a Move to Golden State
Reports have surfaced suggesting Steph Curry is ready to personally pitch LeBron James on a move to Golden State.
While it makes for an intriguing storyline, the reality is that such a move faces significant hurdles – from salary cap constraints to the lessons learned from past attempts to build super-teams around ageing stars.
The Warriors appear set to pursue LeBron James in free agency, with Steph Curry reportedly planning to meet him before the market opens. His chances of landing at Golden State have reportedly moved from “doubtful” up to “questionable.”
For Golden State to afford LeBron, they’d have to move Jimmy Butler and his $56.8 million contract, which is easier said than done given he’s coming off an ACL injury. Add in the second-apron restrictions, and they’d be left with a roster built around two aging stars and very little room to add depth.
Banking on a 38-year-old Curry and a 41-year-old LeBron would be an all-in gamble for one last title push, especially for a team that missed the playoffs in 2026.
Star power overlooks basketball fit
The idea of Curry, James, Draymond Green, and Butler sharing the floor is packed with intelligence and experience, but not without issues. James and Butler both operate best with the ball in their hands and aren’t reliable outside threats anymore. That clogs up the space Curry relies on to do his damage. Golden State’s 2022 title run was built around shooting and versatile defenders who complemented Curry, not more ball-dominant players who can’t shoot.
Golden State used the “Curry as closer” approach to bring in Kevin Durant back in 2016, so it’s not without precedent. But more often than not, recent examples of piling on ageing stars – think back to the 2012-13 Lakers or the 2013-14 Nets – haven’t exactly worked out.
What seems most likely is what the reports are already suggesting: James is looking at a negotiation with the Lakers where Los Angeles has to choose between paying him $50 million or using that money to build out their roster. Having a real threat from Golden State gives him leverage. Curry making his pitch doesn’t cost Golden State anything and quietly helps James no matter how things turn out.
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