Rich Paul Is The Reason LeBron James And Stephen Curry Aren't Teammates On The Warriors

LeBron James and Stephen Curry teaming up on the Golden State Warriors is a fantasy many NBA fans have entertained, but it’s a scenario that never came to fruition, thanks in large part to LeBron's agent, Rich Paul. According to recent reports from Marc Stein , Paul played a crucial role in ensuring that a potential trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Warriors, which would have sent LeBron to the Bay Area, was scrapped.

"It is believed that the Lakers would have reluctantly entertained trade conversations with the Warriors before last February’s trade deadline if James wanted them to seriously engage Golden State on a potential deal."

"Yet league sources say that the reported talks between the teams at the time never got that far in large part because James’ agent Rich Paul was adamantly opposed to the idea of LeBron James swapping Southern California for Northern California."

"Sources say Rich Paul implored both teams to scrap the concept — despite some owner-to-owner dialogue between the Warriors’ Joe Lacob and the Lakers’ Jeanie Buss and Green’s determination to lobby James to push for relocation to the Bay Area — largely because he wanted to insulate James from potential backlash over switching teams for the fourth time in his career."

The idea of James joining Curry in Golden State had reportedly gained some traction, with initial discussions taking place between Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and Warriors owner Joe Lacob . The concept was intriguing—pairing two of the greatest players of all time on the same team in what could have been a historic alliance. Draymond Green, a close friend of LeBron’s, was reportedly lobbying hard for the move, eager to see the four-time NBA champion don a Warriors jersey.

However, Rich Paul was adamantly opposed to the idea. His primary concern was the potential backlash that LeBron might face for changing teams yet again. LeBron has already made three high-profile moves in his career—from Cleveland to Miami, back to Cleveland, and then to Los Angeles.

Each move came with its own set of controversies and criticisms. Paul was wary of adding another chapter to this narrative, especially one that could tarnish LeBron’s legacy by aligning him with a team that has been one of his fiercest rivals.

Furthermore, Paul’s concerns extended to the optics of LeBron joining a Warriors team that has already enjoyed significant success without him. The move could be perceived as LeBron chasing more championships in a manner that might undermine his previous accomplishments. This would have been a risky narrative shift for a player who has built much of his brand on being a leader and a cornerstone of every franchise he has been a part of.

Adding to the complexities, LeBron’s son, Bronny James, was drafted by the Lakers in 2024, further solidifying LeBron’s ties to Los Angeles. With Bronny now part of the Lakers organization, the likelihood of LeBron leaving for another team—especially one like the Warriors—has diminished even further.

In the end, Rich Paul’s influence and strategic thinking were key factors in keeping LeBron in Los Angeles, ensuring that the dream of seeing LeBron James and Stephen Curry together in Golden State remains just that—a dream.

Related: LeBron’s Lakers And Curry’s Warriors Lead The NBA For Most Nationally Televised Games Next Season

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