Because generational talents only come along…well, once in a generation, and the Warriors can’t pass up the opportunity to unite two of the players who have worn that label as well as just about anyone in NBA history.
This trade, like any other transaction involving Golden State, would be all about maximizing whatever remains of Stephen Curry’s prime.
He has handled his fight with Father Time better than most (better than anyone other than James probably), but the 11-time All-Star, who turned 37 in March, is still on the back nine of his career and running out of time to add to his championship collection.
That’s why the Warriors went out and added Butler at the last trade deadline. And while it would be a total shock to see them turn around and deal him already, remember, he was far from their first choice to serve as Curry’s sidekick.
They only turned in Butler’s direction after being turned away by Kevin Durant, and they’ve eyeballed James on more than occasion.
Butler has been a seamless system fit in Golden State, but James would be the same. Both are step-ahead processors who can read-and-react to the action as it’s unfolding.
James, however, packs more scoring punch (notable given the Warriors’ offensive meltdown after losing Curry to a hamstring injury in the conference semis), possesses a much better outside shot and would therefore draw even more defensive attention away from his fellow four-time NBA champion.
The trade-off, of course, is that James (40) is older than Butler (35) and under contract (through next season) for less time (Butler has two years left). Those are concessions the Dubs would accept in a heartbeat if they felt the deal would move them closer to another title run.
And it would. There’s no right way for an opposing defense to approach an offense piloted by Curry and James, especially when Draymond Green is doing everything he can as a screener and ball-mover to put them in prime scoring chances.
And since this would effectively be a straight superstar swap (Bronny James has a pinch of prospect appeal, but his involvement would be more about keeping the father-son connection intact), the Dubs would still have a deep supporting cast around their elites.
There might be a million reasons to think this deal never happens, but there are even more reasons to like the basketball fit of longtime Finals rivals James and Curry. That could be motivation enough for Golden State to sign off on it.