Bold Warriors Trade Idea Unites Stephen Curry With His Long-Awaited Perfect Fit
When you hear Stephen Curry and dream running mate, who comes to mind? If the answer is anything but LeBron James, it is the wrong one.
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The two megastars finally shared the court as teammates, not rivals, at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Golden State Warriors would likely be more than happy to see that pairing in their jerseys as well.
The idea of pairing James and Curry is not new. However, what has changed is the Los Angeles Lakers' reported stance on how they perceive their 40-year-old superstar.
Brian Windhorst suggested James is no longer being viewed as a franchise player. The four-time NBA champion has been reduced to the status of 'expiring contract.'
Windhorst said, "My conversations over the last three days have crystallized that the Lakers are essentially viewing LeBron as an expiring contract. ... I'm not sure what happened, but the Lakers and LeBron did not have (substantive discussions about extending his contract."
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The NBA insider said expiring contracts are typically viewed as trade pieces in the league and that he was no longer convinced that a trade involving James was an impossibility. That is the Warriors' cue.
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry defends against Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James at Chase Center.Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report thought up a trade package for this potential deal, should it come to pass. The NBA writer listed the Warriors as one of the top destinations for James.
Warriors get: LeBron James.
Lakers get: Jimmy Butler, Quinten Post.
The selling points of this trade is interesting for both sides. For the Lakers, it may be a bit tougher to get behind this deal.
Butler has more years in the tank than James does. However, the real incentive to downgrade from James for an extra year of Jimmy is not overwhelmingly exciting, even if Post helps address their frontcourt concerns.
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For the Warriors, 2025-26 could very well be James' last year. Are the Warriors content taking one clear shot at the title with both Curry and James, if that is the case?
Ultimately, both sides would need to do a bit of mental gymnastics for this one. However, the Warriors probably gravitate to the idea a lot quicker than the Lakers would.
Related: Warriors Emerge as Potential Destination for Suns' Star Amid Ongoing Rumors
Related: Warriors Running Out of Center Options as Free Agency Spiral Continues
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
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Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
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CBS News
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Associated Press
29 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Tearful Brown says winning BMW International Open was 'out-of-body experience' after friend's death
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] MUNICH (AP) — English golfer Daniel Brown was in tears after going through an 'out-of-body experience' in winning the BMW International Open by two strokes on Sunday, days after the death of a close friend. The No. 170-ranked Brown shot a bogey-free 6-under 66 in the final round to capture his second European tour title, after the ISPS Handa World Invitational in 2023. After making his sixth and final birdie of the day at the par-5 18th, Brown walked off the green and started to cry. 'I lost a friend at home last weekend,' Brown said, before pausing and holding back more tears. 'It's for him.' Brown said that was his motivation to win at Golfclub München Eichenried. 'The last two days I kept thinking about him,' he said. 'I tried not to get too emotional in the process. I'm not really too sure what happened today. All day really was like an out-of-body experience. 'He was there with me,' Brown added, 'and it made it a little bit easier.' Brown started the day with a one-shot lead over countryman Jordan Smith, birdied four of his first six holes, and picked up two more birdies coming home to finish on 22-under par for the week. The 30-year-old Brown hadn't had a top-10 finish since February at the Qatar Masters. Smith shot 67 and was alone in second place. ___ AP golf:
