LeBron James just got two major reasons to consider joining Steph Curry in Golden State

LeBron James, 41, is entering his 24th NBA season as an unrestricted free agent for the first time since 2018, after the Los Angeles Lakers got swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

The offseason speculation machine is already running at full speed. While critics expect him to return to the Lakers, or perhaps join the Cleveland Cavaliers or New York Knicks, the Golden State Warriors have recently emerged as a serious option.

This is Stephen Curry's team, a player who spent the better part of a decade as James' greatest rival. So, the idea of them sharing a locker room would've been unthinkable a few years ago. Now, according to one of the most respected voices in the league, it may not be as far-fetched as it sounds.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst, who has tracked James' career moves longer than most, appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and referred to the Warriors as the most realistic non-Lakers option. 

"If it doesn't work out with the Lakers, I'd watch the Warriors," Windhorst said. "He played with Steph Curry and Steve Kerr at the Olympics. You know he's close with Draymond Green."

These are two concrete relationship bridges. Playing in the Olympics with Curry under Kerr built a mutual understanding and brotherhood between them, while James' friendship with Green has been publicly documented for years.

This is a notable observation because the Warriors are currently retooling after a difficult 37-45 season, where they were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the Play-In Tournament. Golden State faced major setbacks, including Jimmy Butler III’s season-ending ACL tear in January and knee injuries that limited Curry to just 43 games. The team is currently far from its past championship form.

Warriors’ struggle makes King James an ideal fit for the Golden and Blue. At 38, Curry is still elite but needs help. Pairing him with James would make the Warriors an instant threat again, even if they aren't guaranteed a title. For James, it is an opportunity to finish his career next to a historic peer, play for a respected coaching staff and live in a major market.

While analyst Windhorst estimates a 51% chance James returns to the Lakers, the remaining 49% chance is what has the rest of the NBA paying attention. Right now, Golden State has the most compelling case for it. 

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