After their success as a duo at the ongoing Olympics, many fans wish for LeBron James and Stephen Curry to team up in the NBA. This wish even reached the NBA analysts, with one of them simulating a possible draft to let the veterans play together.
Analyst Nick Wright believes a trade between the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors, and the San Antonio Spurs is possible. As a recent guest on the First Things First talk show by FS1, he wants to put James and Curry on the third team, where the “Big Three” will be formed with Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.
“I found a trade that works with the salary cap that I think you can make an argument all parties involved can get fair value, pending how valuable you think year 22 LeBron is.”
This is a seemingly far-fetched trade, but Wright has his own explanations that make this possible. For him, the veteran James has a lower trade value than Lauri Markannen, which the Warriors sought to get.
Wright proposes a three-way trade in which the four-time NBA Finals MVP will land at the Spurs.
Lately, San Antonio has been open for trade picks, and the analysts believe that their players will eventually be traded with well-established veterans or talented players.
The mock draft will include Steph Curry and LeBron James for the Spurs for Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, and two first-round picks to the Lakers. The Warriors will get Devin Vassell, Zach Collins, and two first-round picks.
However, the Spurs might focus on enhancing their star Wembanyama before including him in a “Big Three.”
Suppose James and Curry team up at San Antonio and form a triumvirate with Wembanyama. There’s a big chance that the Spurs would emerge as a threatening team again. Back then, they also had a Big Three composed of Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan.
LeBron James doesn’t plan to leave the Lakers, nor does Curry in the Warriors
Despite the lingering expectations, these two battle-hardened players have no plans to leave their teams. It is as if their teams would agree to have the players mentioned in Wright’s mock draft without conditions.
James is also at an ancient age. He’s already 39 but has made tons of achievements in the NBA. He might retire after the following season.
Meanwhile, Curry’s still 36. However, his contract with the Warriors would end in two years. He might opt to switch teams or continue to stay.
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