Matt Barnes on a LeBron James-Steph Curry duo: ‘Future teammates??’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry have long been imagined as perfect teammates for each other in the NBA.

While they’ve never played on the same squad in the association, they’re both representing Team USA this summer in the Paris Olympics — and they’re doing a good job of it.

Team USA is now one win away from gold, and while James and Curry are likely focused on that, former NBA player Matt Barnes is also thinking about something else: the idea of a James-Curry duo in the NBA.

Barnes certainly isn’t the only one who might like to see James and Curry on the same NBA team, but time is running out on that idea.

James just signed a new deal with the Lakers that will take him through the 2024-25 season and includes a player option for the 2025-26 season. The 20-time All-Star, who will turn 40 this coming season, could choose to walk away from the game at any time.

Curry, 36, may have a little more time left, but he’s also likely nearing the end of his NBA career. He’s under contract with the Warriors through the 2025-26 season.

If both players stick with their current teams for two more seasons, they’d have the ability to team up anywhere in the 2026 offseason, but there are some major question marks associated with a scenario like that, including James’ age.

Of course, that isn’t the only way they could end up as teammates. James could technically leave the Lakers in the 2025 offseason and try to make his way to the Warriors. The two players could also try to end up on the same team via trade. But all of these scenarios seem far-fetched — at least for now.

James and Curry each have four NBA titles. Perhaps one day, they’ll have a chance to go for one together, but this coming season, they’ll be in each other’s way as they both try for No. 5.