Ranking LeBron James’ Top Trade Landing Spots Including Cavaliers, Warriors, More

The Golden State Warriors showed they still had some juice left by reaching the second round of the playoffs, even in a tough Western Conference. Stephen Curry is still playing at an All-NBA level even at age 37 (24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, NBA-high 4.4 three-pointers per game).

Pairing Curry and James together would be a treat for NBA fans and allow the latter to stay in California, just a short flight from his Los Angeles home.

There’s a few different iterations of a trade between these franchises, as a straight Jimmy Butler-James swap would work financially. Golden State could throw in one of its young centers (Trayce Jackson-Davis, Quinten Post) to help fill the void on the Lakers roster as well. The Warriors would be left with an aging yet still strong core of James, Curry, Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Moses Moody and others to chase one final championship together.

If the Warriors want to keep Butler, they would have to build a package around Green. This would require the salaries of players like Moody and Hield and some sweeteners.

After watching James and Curry play so perfectly together last summer on the US Olympic team, Golden State should at least make a phone call.

Would it take a little shine off of James’ legacy to see him be the one to join Curry with the Warriors, a team he waged battle against in the NBA Finals for four straight years? Possibly.

This is a solid destination for the four-time MVP to end his career, although far from the best.