LeBron James, Stephen Curry , and Kevin Durant all failed to make the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2005 this year, and Nick Young thinks the trio needs to team up. During an appearance on Vlad TV, Young suggested the three all-time greats come together for one last hurrah.
"I think all three of them need to come together," Young said. "... I don't see him (Curry) leaving the Warriors so that's why it could be in Oakland, in the Bay. But they are playing on the USA Team together this year…One last hurrah."
(starts at 2:46 mark):
James and Durant exiting in the first round of the playoffs and Curry failing to even make it in has led to many wanting to see them on the same NBA team before they walk away from the game. Neither of the three seems to be in a position to seriously compete for a championship, at present, but I certainly wouldn't bet against them winning it all if they teamed up.
I don't see it happening, however. The Golden State Warriors certainly would be the team for all of them to come together and I don't see how they end up getting both James and Durant.
LeBron has a player option worth $51.4 million for 2024-25 and could be a free agent this summer, but the Warriors do not have the cap space to give him a sizeable deal. The 39-year-old has also shown in the last 10-odd years that he has no interest in taking a pay cut, so that avenue doesn't exist either.
That'd mean a sign-and-trade would be the only way the Warriors land LeBron if he opts out and that, in turn, would mean they wouldn't have the assets to get Durant. The 35-year-old averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game for the Phoenix Suns in 2023-24 and won't be available on the cheap.
I think Golden State could potentially land one of these two if they decide to go all in, but just not both. While that is a pity, we'll at least get to see them play together for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Nick Young On How Many More Years LeBron James Can Play In The NBA
While LeBron continues to play at a very high level, with averages of 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 2023-24 for the Los Angeles Lakers, the end of his career isn't too far away at this point. Young was asked during this interview how many more years the 20-time All-Star could play in the NBA. (starts at 3:55 mark in the above video):
"In this day and age of basketball, probably three years," Young said. ".. I could see longer but if he wants to play. It's up to LeBron. I think he plays until his son plays. Probably the second one. Until Bryce (James) come along."
The earliest that Bryce James can enter the NBA would be 2026 and I don't think it is unrealistic for LeBron to play in that 2026-27 season, as there is a fair bit of gas left in the tank. As for the man himself, it has been reported that LeBron wants to play for two more seasons in the NBA.
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