Warriors Must Finally Trade for LeBron James Amid Dreadful Season

As the 2024-25 NBA season continues, both Stephen Curry and LeBron James find themselves in an unfamiliar position: struggling with underperforming teams despite their personal brilliance. The Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers are both facing difficulties, and the thought of these two legendary players teaming up is gaining traction. With the Warriors sitting at 18-18 and the Lakers at 20-16, the question on everyone’s mind is: Should the Warriors make a bold move to trade for LeBron James?

Warriors and Lakers in Struggles Despite Star Power

Despite being two of the greatest players in NBA history, Curry and James have found themselves battling through rough seasons. Curry’s Golden State Warriors have been disappointing, recently suffering back-to-back losses to the Sacramento Kings and the Miami Heat, both teams missing key players like De’Aaron Fox and Jimmy Butler. As a result, the Warriors are languishing in the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference, raising questions about their title hopes this year.

James’ Los Angeles Lakers have not fared much better, currently holding onto the No. 6 seed in the West. Their struggles were highlighted this past week when they lost to a Dallas Mavericks team missing Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, a blow that left the Lakers reeling.

For both Curry and James, the frustration is palpable. Despite their individual brilliance—Curry with 22.8 points and 6.1 assists, and James putting up 23.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.8 assists—neither player has enough help around them to push their teams into true championship contention. This has led to speculation that it may be time for Golden State’s general manager, Mike Dunleavy, to seriously consider a trade for LeBron James.

Curry’s Frustration and the Warriors’ Need for Change

In recent post-game press conferences, Stephen Curry has made it clear that he is frustrated with the state of the Warriors. After their loss to the Miami Heat, Curry stated, “We have nothing to show for it, nothing really to latch onto as like, ‘Oh we’re doing this great…’ It seems like both sides of the ball are struggling. It’s glaring how bad we can be at times.”

At 36 years old, Curry’s numbers are still impressive, but the Warriors’ overall performance has been inconsistent. His desire to win his fifth NBA title is growing stronger, and the current roster doesn’t seem to be enough to make that a reality. That’s where LeBron James comes in.

LeBron James’ Continued Excellence at Age 40

At 40 years old, LeBron James is showing no signs of slowing down. Despite the Lakers’ struggles, James continues to deliver, averaging 23.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. His performance remains elite, as evidenced by his incredible windmill dunks over top-tier defenders like Dereck Lively II of the Dallas Mavericks.

For the Warriors, James’ versatility, leadership, and championship pedigree would make him the perfect addition alongside Curry. The prospect of these two future Hall-of-Famers teaming up in the pursuit of a fifth NBA title would rejuvenate the Warriors’ championship aspirations. And with James’ ability to both score and facilitate, he could help solve Golden State’s offensive struggles, especially when Curry is not on the floor.

Why the Trade Makes Sense for the Warriors

In order to bring James to the Warriors, Mike Dunleavy would need to offer a massive package to the Lakers. While a potential trade might seem out of reach, it’s the type of move that could turn the Warriors back into championship contenders. The Warriors would likely have to part with Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and Andrew Wiggins’ salary—along with a hefty amount of first-round draft picks.

For the Lakers, trading James to Golden State may feel like a sentimental blow, but the return could be incredibly valuable. Kuminga, Moody, and Podziemski are all young, talented players with immense upside, while Wiggins could provide the Lakers with much-needed athleticism and defense on the wing. This trade would allow Los Angeles to continue building for the future while giving them the flexibility to reshape their roster.

The Emotional and Financial Cost of the Trade

From a sentimental standpoint, LeBron James leaving the Lakers could be difficult, given his status as one of the greatest players in franchise history. However, from a financial and competitive standpoint, the trade could be a game-changer for both teams. The Warriors would instantly become title contenders with Curry and James on the same team, while the Lakers would set themselves up for a successful rebuild with young, promising players and future draft capital.

For Curry, the chance to play alongside James would give him a real shot at adding another championship ring. The Warriors’ current roster doesn’t seem built to make a deep postseason run, but with James in the fold, they would have a much better chance of competing against the top teams in the West.

Conclusion: A Bold Move That Could Save Golden State’s Season

As both teams struggle in the current season, the idea of LeBron James joining Stephen Curry in Golden State could be the perfect remedy for the Warriors’ woes. With both players in the twilight of their careers and desperate for another championship, the Warriors should make a serious push to land LeBron James, regardless of the cost. The trade would cost them a huge package of young talent and draft picks, but it would give the Warriors the chance to finally compete for a fifth NBA title with two of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

The ball is now in Golden State’s court. Will they take the risk and make the trade to team up Curry and James? Only time will tell, but if the Warriors want to salvage their season and make a real title run, this may be their best—and perhaps only—option.