BREAKING: Proposed $51 million Power Forward Blockbuster Trade Pair Steph Curry with Dream Target
The Golden State Warriors’ ultimate goal is to match Stephen Curry with Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, which they attempted but failed to accomplish at the February trade deadline.
The long-time adversaries proved their games were a match made in heaven when they guided Team USA to gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report pitched a blockbuster trade that may bring the Warriors’ ambition to fruition if James and the Lakers change their minds.
Golden State Warriors receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers acquire: Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Kevon Looney, 2026 first-round selection, 2028 first-round pick, and 2030 first-round pick (1-20).
This proposed Warriors package is as full as it gets, including a previous All-Star wing who can aid them in the interim, as well as young players and future draft picks.
“The expense here is excessive, especially since James is entering his 40th season. Golden State is giving up all of its remaining first-round stock (excluding swaps), as well as Kuminga, a potential star player. And yet, it appears that the Lakers would only consider returning a package like this if James specifically requested to be transferred,” Hughes said.
Do the Warriors Still Have Enough Depth if LeBron James Comes?
Hughes commented, “The likelihood of a trade like this happening might seem almost as improbable as a million-to-one shot,” but if it were to occur, the next major question for the Warriors would be whether they have enough depth around James and Curry.
The answer is yes, as they could still field a 10-man rotation of veterans capable of competing in the Western Conference.
They’d retain Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis to round out a starting lineup with James and Curry.
The only possible downside to this trade is that the Warriors would lack big, athletic wings behind James, who is unlikely to play a full season due to his age.
Rich Paul Prevented LeBron James-to-Warriors Trade
According to NBA insider Marc Stein on Substack, it was James’ influential agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who shut down trade discussions before they advanced beyond the exploratory phase.
Stein explained, “It is believed that the Lakers would have reluctantly entertained trade talks with the Warriors before last February’s deadline if James had shown interest in a deal. However, league sources say the discussions never progressed, largely because James’ agent, Rich Paul, was firmly against the idea of James moving from Southern California to Northern California.”
Paul, according to Stein, was concerned about protecting James’ image.
“Sources say Paul urged both teams to abandon the idea — despite some conversations between Warriors owner Joe Lacob and Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, and Draymond Green pushing James to consider a move to the Bay Area — because he wanted to shield James from potential backlash over switching teams for the fourth time in his career,” Stein wrote.
James later confirmed that he wasn’t aware of the trade talks until the reports surfaced.
“The talks didn’t go far at all,” James said during an interview on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” on February 18. “I actually heard about it when everyone else did. Obviously, Charles [Barkley], Kenny [Smith], and Shaq have all been in the league, and sometimes there are conversations happening behind closed doors that you’re not even aware of.”