# Warriors’ Steph Curry on LeBron James: ‘I would love to play with him. Hopefully, that will be a reality soon’ **By:** Ron Kroichick, Staff Writer **Published:** 2026-07-08T20:19:13Z **Source:** [San Francisco Chronicle](https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/warriors/article/warriors-steph-curry-lebron-james-i-love-22334924.php) --- Stephen Curry plays on the first hole the during the practice round of the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., on Wednesday. Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle STATELINE, Nev. — Stephen Curry did not travel to Ohio to court LeBron James. Nor did Curry break any big news Wednesday about James’ much-anticipated plans for next season. Curry also suggested the Golden State Warriors are still in the running to land the leading scorer in NBA history. “We’ve obviously talked,” Curry told the Chronicle during his round of golf Wednesday at Edgewood Tahoe. “He deserves all the patience and space to figure out what he wants to do as his career winds down. We all understand and appreciate that. “I would love to play with him, and hopefully that will be a reality soon.” Stephen Curry walks to the first hole during practice for the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., on Wednesday. Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle Curry mostly has traded text messages with James, as he contemplates which team to join for his record 24th season in the league. Cleveland is widely considered the favorite, with Miami and Philadelphia also prominently in the picture. The Warriors seem willing to wait for James’ decision, given the instant jolt he would give their efforts to return to the playoffs. Golden State has fallen short in two of the past three seasons. And if James chooses to play elsewhere? “We’ll still try to stay aggressive, knowing we have to put a good team together and hold down the fort until Jimmy (Butler) and Moses (Moody) are back,” Curry said.  Stephen Curry plays on the 16th hole during the practice round of the American Century Championship on Wednesday. Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle The Warriors have pursued lower-wattage free agents such as Anfernee Simons and Rui Hachimura, only to see them reach agreements with the Sixers and Clippers, respectively. Any secondary acquisitions are on hold, essentially, until James makes his decision. Asked about the wait for James making roster upgrades more complicated, Curry replied, “It does. That might be a premature question and answer, just because I don’t know where we’re going to end up. That’s why the offseason is a season, not just a day or a week. …  “They (front-office officials) know how I feel. They’re always trying to win. It’s very unique circumstances right now, and it always goes back to timing and how many guys are available, especially at the top of the salary cap. I don’t know what kind of creative ways we can continue to get better if LeBron doesn’t come or whatever, but we’ll figure it out.” If James does sign with another team, and the Warriors whiff on other high-profile free agents, they will rely on last season’s core to fuel a turnaround. That seems like a big ask, given the injuries and sub-par performance during a disappointing 37-45 campaign. Stephen Curry checks the wind on the 16th hole Wednesday. Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle But Curry lauded bringing back Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton, appreciating the continuity. He also knows one way for the Warriors to get better: big contributions from younger players. Brandin Podziemski and Gui Santos made significant strides amid last season’s frustration, and Curry finds encouragement in guard Will Richard and top draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg shining in early summer-league games. “I’ve seen what Yaxel is doing, and Will hopefully taking a big jump,” Curry said. “You’ve got to have a nice mixture of both (younger and older players). We understand the situation with Jimmy being out — it’s a huge salary slot not playing for half the season, so you’ve got to figure out what to do.” Lendeborg recently joked about Curry’s shooting skills hopefully rubbing off on him, as new locker-room neighbors at Chase Center. Curry had a clever response for his 6-foot-9 teammate. Stephen Curry plays on the eighth hole during the practice round Wednesday. Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle “I hope I grow two or three inches,” he said, smiling. “… Yaxel is a big body, athletic. I’m excited to see how he fits. I know he’s got the confidence he can be an impact player right away.” Among other issues Curry addressed as he walked the fairways at picturesque Edgewood:  • Curry missed 27 games last season (all of February and March) because of patellofemoral pain syndrome in his right knee, more commonly known as “runner’s knee.” At one point, he acknowledged dealing with the discomfort had become his “new normal.” Then, after Golden State’s season ended with a play-in bracket loss to Phoenix, Curry joked about golf as his therapy. He said Wednesday his knee was fine after six-plus weeks of golf and not much else.  Asked if he’s confident it won’t become an issue next season, he replied, “You only know what you know, but I’m confident I’m doing everything I can (for the knee) and taking advantage of the offseason.” Stephen Curry finishes his practice round Wednesday. Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle • Curry, 38, hopes to talk to the Warriors about a contract extension, “for sure,” when he becomes extension-eligible in late August. He has one year left on his current deal, at nearly $62.6 million.  If he signs a one-year extension, that would take him into his 40s — he’ll turn 40 in March 2028. • Last month, Curry made headlines by signing a 10-year, $400 million endorsement deal with Li-Ning, a Chinese company. The agreement covers the shoes Curry will wear in competition, and also extends to apparel.  Li-Ning is among several companies (including Anta and Nike) linked to the use of forced Uyghur labor in China, according to a joint investigation published last year by the New York Times, the Bureau for Investigative Journalism and Der Spiegel.  Asked if the ties to forced labor gave him pause, and if he worried the association might tarnish his brand, Curry said, “I think American-Chinese relations are always a hot topic. Being accountable for how my business is run is important to me. Don’t leave any stone unturned before you make a decision like that, knowing that’s where my future hopefully is for the next decade-plus. Stephen Curry sets up his putt on the eighth hole Wednesday. Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle “I think for the apparel industry and other categories, there’s always that kind of conversation around how things are run, geopolitical stuff. It’s above my pay grade, but when it comes to my business I’m accountable for what I know and how things should be done. I’ll stand on that.” • Curry came to the shores of South Lake Tahoe for this week’s American Century Championship (starting Friday), the celebrity golf tournament he won in 2023. He didn’t play two years ago, because of his commitment to the U.S. men’s national basketball team ahead of the Paris Olympics, and he finished fifth last year. In '23, Curry edged former tennis pro Mardy Fish by sinking a dramatic eagle putt on the final hole. That image lingers in his mind, especially when he returns to this course. “Anytime I play golf, and I’m in a match or money game and you have a putt to win, you go back to that moment,” Curry said. “That was a golfer’s dream come true. Great memory.” Should the Warriors try to sign LeBron James in free agency? LeBron James has been linked to Golden State as a possible free-agent target. Tell us whether you think Warriors should try to sign him, and why.