Blockbuster Warriors Trade Idea Lands LeBron James From Lakers

Blockbuster Warriors Trade Idea Lands LeBron James From Lakers originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Ever since the 2024 Olympics, many fans have wanted Stephen Curry and LeBron James to pair up at the NBA level. They were electric while representing the United States, and the same would be true in the league they dominate.

However, with both players nearing the end of their illustrious careers, the time for them to do so is quite limited.

The Golden State Warriors are mounting for one final run behind Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

The Lakers, on the other hand, are shifting towards Luka Doncic's timeline, as the young superstar is the future in Hollywood. After recent reports regarding James' eagerness to compete for one final title, the possibility of the legendary forward being moved has opened up.

Warriors predicted to make blockbuster trade for James with Lakers

Could Golden State enter the sweepstakes to land James? They've called the Lakers regarding a trade for the four-time champion previously. This time around, they can try and secure a deal using restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski.

Bleacher Report's Erik Beaston proposed such an idea in a recent piece, pitching an idea that helps both teams shift towards their timeline.

“Still one of the league's elite, his best chance of winning a fifth NBA title is no longer in Los Angeles, where the front office is transitioning from a team centered around the best of his generation to one led by Luka Doncic," Beaston writes.

“Amid the all of the maneuvering going on behind the scenes with the Lakers, Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst reported for ESPN that the Golden State Warriors were one team that had reached out to Los Angeles about a potential deal for James.”

“Any deal between the two teams would see the Warriors give up a substantial package for James, with Jonathan Kuminga likely included. Brandin Podziemski maybe another asset shipped off to Los Angeles, along with several draft picks.”

The thought of the Lakers -- or any team, for that matter -- making a trade involving James, who is considered among the greatest to ever touch a basketball, is absurd. It isn't easy to make sense of.

But Los Angeles is now zeroed in on Doncic. Kuminga and Podziemski fit the Slovenian superstar's timeline, giving him another guard and swingman forward to rely on.

James and Curry could then each compete for a final title alongside one another, while keeping the 41-year-old in California.

The Lakers won't buy out James' contract. If he's going to leave as a free agent, it'll be next season -- if he doesn't opt to retire and turn the page to a new chapter in his life.

This is a pipe dream for the Warriors and their fans. Adding the face of basketball for the last two-plus decades alongside a superstar guard that, quite literally, changed the sport of basketball would put them at the center of the sport across the world.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.