Stephen A. Smith says LeBron James doesn’t deserve to play with Stephen Curry

Amid new chatter about NBA superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry possibly joining forces on the Golden State Warriors, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith dropped a hot take on the Los Angeles Lakers forward.

Smith explained that he doesn’t want to see James play alongside Curry because he feels that James “does not deserve it.” He suggested that James should have to stay in Los Angeles after he had a hand in the Lakers making some questionable roster decisions that may still be plaguing the team today.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said recently that there have been some conversations in the NBA about James revisiting the possibility of a trade to the Warriors after Golden State inquired about him before last season’s trade deadline.

Windhorst added, however, that there are obstacles in the way of a potential James trade to the Warriors, making one seem unlikely.

James and Curry have long been seen by fans and analysts as a lethal theoretical duo. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, the two NBA legends both played for Team USA and helped the squad win gold, which might’ve only added fuel to the fire.

But with James approaching 40 years old and Curry approaching 37, time is running out on the possibility of the two players teaming up in the NBA.

The Lakers (13-11) and Warriors (14-9) are both above .500 this season but may have a hard time competing in the Western Conference when the playoffs roll around. A trade sending James to Golden State would obviously change the complexion of the season for both teams.

If a trade doesn’t come together (which is probably the most realistic scenario), then James may need to explore other avenues after the season if he really wants to end up playing with Curry.

He has a player option in his deal for the 2025-26 season that he could decline to become a free agent this offseason, potentially opening the door for him to sign with the Warriors if the parties could somehow work out the finances. James, however, has said before that he hopes to retire with the Lakers, and with his son now on the team, he might have even less interest in leaving.

Despite all of the noise, James is currently focused on helping the Lakers put together a productive season while Curry is looking to do the same with the Warriors.