The notion of LeBron James and Stephen Curry, longtime rivals, potentially teaming up sent shockwaves through the basketball world as it circulated before the trade deadline, with the Golden State Warriors reportedly considering the idea.
However, the idea was swiftly rejected by the Los Angeles Lakers, who approached James’ agent, Rich Paul, to assess his interest in such a move. Despite speculation, Hall of Famer Gary Payton, an Oakland native and former Laker, believes James should remain in his kingdom in Los Angeles.
“LeBron did the right thing — he stayed put,” Payton told Yahoo Sports ahead of All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, where he is set to judge the AT&T Slam Dunk Competition.
“He’s moved around enough, from Cleveland to Miami and back to Cleveland. This is where he belongs now.”
Payton, whose career spanned an era when rival players typically didn’t join forces, reflected on his own experiences. He and Karl Malone faced off in the 1996 Western Conference finals, with Payton’s Seattle SuperSonics prevailing over Malone’s Jazz in a memorable seven-game series.
However, they later joined forces in Los Angeles, playing alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant for the Lakers. Malone was 40 at the time, while Payton was 35.
Although both were past their primes, they contributed as supporting players to Bryant and O’Neal in their final season together. Despite reaching the Finals, the Lakers suffered a surprising five-game defeat to the Detroit Pistons.
Los Angeles has historically been a magnet for superstars, with players like Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant defining eras. Payton believes James is entrenched in the city’s fabric.
“LeBron isn’t going anywhere. L.A. is his city now,” Payton asserted. “Kobe will always be a legend here, but LeBron is taking the reins.”
Bryant’s recent statue unveiling at Crypto.com Arena underscored his enduring legacy in Los Angeles following his tragic death in 2020.
Payton dismissed the notion of James teaming up with Curry, citing basketball reasons. His son, Gary Payton II, is a key reserve for the Warriors and a member of their 2022 championship squad.
As things stand, the Lakers and the Warriors are slated to face off in the play-in tournament as the ninth and 10th seeds. Despite their recent battles, the Lakers have emerged victorious on both occasions.
“Golden State would have had to sacrifice a lot. It would’ve been just LeBron and Curry,” Payton explained. “They’d have to dismantle their entire team.”
To make such a deal feasible, Klay Thompson’s contract would likely have been involved, along with emerging talent like Jonathan Kuminga.
However, Payton remains skeptical that James would depart from Anthony Davis or Los Angeles, especially not to join the Warriors, a team that has been a formidable adversary for nearly a decade.
“And then Golden State would’ve had to scramble to bring in more pieces,” Payton added. “It just doesn’t seem realistic.”
