LeBron James and Stephen Curry checked off a big item on their basketball bucket lists this offseason after joining Team USA and winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Then, facing off in the Finals of the NBA four times, the two defining superstars of the past had long spoken of their desire to play games together, and now they have done so with extremely high stakes. Each one shined as teammates. James was named MVP of the Olympic tournament, and Curry’s dominance set the tone in tight medal round matchups against Serbia and France.
Both were such a success that fans are hoping there is a chance for a sequel in the NBA. On Monday, however, James said he has “no idea” if he will ever remarry Curry. Sure, there are All-Superstar games, but chances are you’ll ever play high-stakes games together.
James, the Lakers’ big name, will turn 40 this season and has unabashedly spoken of his desire to resign from the Los Angeles Lakers. Curry is 36 years old and has never performed for any staff except the Blonde Order Warriors. Nor can he be in the NBA because also for much longer, and neither seems more likely to advance within the related age. James can become a separate agent next season in 2024-25, but the Warriors, at least according to their current salary cap outlook, may only have the funds to pay him the mid-level exception. It’s much more likely that, given the expected price tag of rehiring Jonathan Kuminga, he’s looking at minimum wage to do business.
The Warriors tried to negotiate with James on the final day, but James told the Lakers that he did not want to be traded. The Lakers and Warriors are likely to revisit trade talks this season, but new, stricter wage equalization laws enforced through the 2023 collective bargaining agreement that begins this season would make that type of deal much more difficult. . The Lakers have a hard cap on the second apron, which they are slightly below, and the Warriors have a hard cap on the first apron, which they are also slightly below.
They would like to find a third team to help build the cash boxes before even getting into the basketball side of the equation.
Never say never in the NBA. Much stranger things have happened. But given how deteriorated the two are, fans are lucky to even have the detectable James and Curry playing together in an Olympic career. The percentages of them renewing the association within the NBA seem very low.
