LeBron James Didn't Hesitate When Naming NBA Player he Wishes was his Teammate

LeBron James didn’t hesitate when asked which NBA player he wishes was his teammate.

James is yet to make a Lakers appearance this season owing to a nerve irritation to his glute that saw him miss the entirety of pre-season.

The Lakers have made a stuttering start to 2026/27 campaign, in what could prove to be LeBron’s last in NBA.

The 40-year-old is entering his 23rd league season and there have been rumours he could retire next year.

LeBron and Curry could yet team up

However, reports suggest that James could instead leave the Lakers to move elsewhere, with the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors, who beat the LA franchise 119-109 in their season opener last month, linked with a move for the NBA icon.

A move to the Warriors would see James link up with Steph Curry, which to some would be a dream partnership at NBA level.

Curry, James and Durant after winning gold at the Olympics (Image: Getty)

The pair have only played together in All-Star games and for Team USA at the Olympics, which saw the star-studded US side beat hosts France to gold last summer.

And on an old episode of ‘The Shop’, James was asked who he’d like to play with in the NBA.

James initially responded with his son, Bronny, who is now a regular for the Lakers, but was then making waves as a junior in high school.

When pressed further on which current NBA star he’d love to play alongside, James didn’t hesitate when delivering his answer.

'I love everything about that guy'

“Steph Curry's the one that I wanna play with for sure, in today's game,” James said.

“I love everything about that guy. Lethal. When he get out his car, you better guard him right from the moment he pulls up to the arena.

“You might wanna guard him when he get out of the bed. Swear to god. He's serious.”

LeBron James and Steph Curry in action earlier this year (Image: Getty)

Curry was taken aback by LeBron’s words, and responded in kind, saying: “There's no denying his greatness in terms of what he can do on the court and sometimes, even when you're playing against him, you're in awe the way he can control the tempo of the game.

“He can dominate scoring, passing and in terms of him picking out one player that he would want besides his son, that he would want to play with - and my name comes up - it's surreal.”

Warriors were blocked in James bid

And the old quotes will do nothing to quell rumours of a potential switch to the Warriors when James’ current Lakers deal expires.

The San Francisco franchise have previously made a move for James, with rumours suggesting that clandestine talks between the Warriors and the Lakers took place prior to the trade deadline last February.

The Warriors had hoped to pair LeBron with Curry but were unsuccessful in their bid as the Lakers and ‘King James’ were unwilling to explore a blockbuster switch.