The Golden State Warriors are no strangers to seismic shifts in the NBA landscape. Back in 2016, they stunned the league by luring Kevin Durant to the Bay Area, kickstarting a dynasty that delivered multiple championships. Now, as the 2025-26 season winds down, whispers from the Warriors’ camp suggest they’re gearing up for another blockbuster move—one that could reshape the entire league. At the center of it all is Stephen Curry, the two-time MVP who’s reportedly pushing the front office to go all-in on acquiring a “mountainous” superstar to pair with him and form an unbeatable Big Three. The targets? None other than Giannis Antetokounmpo or LeBron James.
NBA insider Marc J. Spears dropped this bombshell during his appearance on the Willard & Dibs show on 95.7 The Game. Spears, a respected voice in basketball circles, revealed that Curry is anticipating a major addition to the roster this summer. “I think he knows whether it’s a Giannis [Antetokounmpo], whether it’s a LeBron James, there’s going to be somebody next summer that’s going to join him,” Spears said. “Join Jimmy [Butler], join Draymond [Green], assuming he’s still there, too. And remember, this is the Warriors. They got a brand. They could quick fix and add some talent.”
This isn’t just idle speculation. The Warriors have been linked to both Antetokounmpo and James for years, and their pursuit has only intensified as the team struggles to reclaim its former glory. In 2023, Golden State made a bold attempt to trade for James, but the King rebuffed their advances. More recently, at the 2025 trade deadline, they were in the mix for Durant again before settling for Jimmy Butler. And just this season, they were hot on the trail of Antetokounmpo, but the Milwaukee Bucks held firm.
The Warriors’ current campaign has been a rollercoaster, marred by injuries and inconsistency. Sitting at eighth in the Western Conference with a 32-31 record, they’ve hovered in the play-in tournament spots for much of the year. The loss of Butler to an ACL tear in January was a devastating blow, turning what could have been a competitive season into a rebuild-on-the-fly scenario. In response, the team acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield—a solid move, but hardly the game-changer needed to contend for a fifth ring in the Curry era.
Curry, at 37, remains the heartbeat of the franchise, but he knows time is ticking. The Warriors recognize that adding another elite talent is essential to maximize his prime (or what’s left of it) and chase another title. Enter the “mountainous” superstars: Giannis, the towering Greek Freak whose dominance evokes images of unyielding peaks, and LeBron, the evergreen legend who’s still a force at 41.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, at 31, is putting up MVP-caliber numbers for the Bucks: 27.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. If he demands a trade this summer—as rumors suggest he might—the suitors will line up. The Warriors assembled an intriguing package at the deadline, but it fell short. Without top-tier assets or Giannis specifically requesting a move to Golden State, landing him seems like a long shot. Still, the allure of playing alongside Curry, Butler (if he recovers), and Green could be tempting for a player hungry for another championship after Milwaukee’s recent struggles.
Then there’s LeBron James, whose situation feels more attainable. In the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, James will hit free agency this summer. Spears believes a reunion with old rivals-turned-friends is on the table: “I thought he’s always been a possibility. With his relationship with Steph, with his relationship with Draymond. I can’t see him in a Lakers uniform next year… Based on what the streets are saying, based on what I’m hearing, if he does return, Cleveland would be number one, and Golden State would be considered.”
James isn’t the unstoppable juggernaut of his youth, but his stats—21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game—prove he’s still an All-Star level contributor. Pairing him with Curry’s shooting wizardry and Green’s defensive tenacity could create a Big Three for the ages, blending experience, skill, and championship pedigree. Reports indicate Curry and Green plan to recruit James aggressively, leveraging their mutual respect forged in epic Finals battles.
The entire NBA should be on high alert. If the Warriors pull this off, it could signal a return to dominance, forcing rivals like the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and emerging powers to rethink their strategies. Golden State’s brand—built on innovation, star power, and a winning culture—makes them an attractive destination for any disgruntled superstar.
Of course, challenges abound. Salary cap constraints, trade assets, and player preferences will all play a role. But if history is any guide, underestimate the Warriors at your peril. They’ve shocked the world