FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Stephen Curry said Thursday that he tried to recruit LeBron James to the Golden State Warriors this summer, before James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Curry spoke with CNBC at Bethpage Black Golf Course, where he was attending an event for the Underrated Golf Tour, the national junior golf circuit he founded. The interview also covered his Li-Ning signature shoe, which Curry said will debut early next year.
James told the Los Angeles Lakers on June 30 that he planned to play elsewhere. Curry said James getting to pick his next team was good for the NBA.
“If anybody didn’t [try to recruit him], I think they’d be a fool,” Curry said. “It was a good time for the NBA, obviously with a guy of his stature, his notoriety, to be in that position where he got to choose where he wanted to go.”
James announced his decision on X on July 24 and signed with Philadelphia two days later. The contract runs two years and is worth about $8 million, with a player option on the second season. He made nearly $53 million with the Lakers last season.
In 2025-26, James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. The Lakers beat the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. James, 41, is entering a record 24th NBA season.
Draymond Green Opted Out As Golden State Warriors Chased LeBron James
Before free agency opened, Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option for the 2026-27 season to give Golden State financial flexibility, NBC Sports Bay Area reported. Green also spent time with James personally during the recruitment, according to the outlet.
Golden State’s preferred plan was to trade for Anthony Davis and then sign James. A Davis deal with the Washington Wizards would have required sending out Jimmy Butler, and the Wizards had no interest in moving Davis. Washington had acquired Davis from the Dallas Mavericks last season.
Green re-signed with the Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million contract after James picked Philadelphia. It is the same contract as the option he turned down.
Butler tore his ACL last season. The Warriors are hoping he can return in January or February.
Stephen Curry Wants To Finish His Career With Golden State Warriors
Curry, 38, is entering his 18th NBA season and the final year of his contract, which pays him $62.6 million in 2026-27. He became eligible Aug. 29 for a two-year, $136.7 million extension.
In Curry’s view, the contract business in the NBA changes fast from one year to the next. His interest is in staying in Golden State and being competitive.
“Not at all,” Curry said. “I’ve always stated that I want to be a lifer with Golden State, what we’ve built there. The fact that I get to run it back this year with Draymond (Green) and coach (Steve) Kerr. So all the contract stuff, this NBA thing from year to year is so crazy.”
“Things change really fast, but I do know my interest and mission to stay in Golden State and be competitive is there, and the contract stuff will take care of itself,” Curry continued.
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said in August that he did not see Curry’s stance changing at any point through the end of next season.
“There’s two things I’m confident about with Steph,” Dunleavy said. “He really, really wants to win and he wants to finish his career as a Warrior. I don’t think that changes tomorrow, August 29th, start of the season, middle of the season, end of next season. Those things are going to be consistent.”
Golden State went 37-45 last season. Curry missed 39 games, 27 of them with patellofemoral pain syndrome, and appeared in 43.
In those 43 games, he averaged 26.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while shooting 46.8% from the field and 39.3% from 3-point range. The Warriors beat the LA Clippers in the play-in tournament before losing to the Phoenix Suns 111-96.
Curry signed a reported 10-year, $400 million deal with Li-Ning in June after 13 years with Under Armour. Until his signature shoe arrives, he will wear Li-Ning models designed by Butler and Dwyane Wade.
Golden State drafted Curry seventh overall in 2009. He has won four championships and two MVP awards with the franchise. Curry has spent all 17 of his NBA seasons with the Warriors.
