The Los Angeles Lakers have consistently built their roster with one goal in mind—maximizing LeBron James’ championship window. Whether it’s roster moves, coaching decisions, or financial flexibility, the Lakers have made sacrifices to ensure LeBron has everything he needs to compete for a title.
Meanwhile, over in Golden State, Stephen Curry has not always received that same level of commitment from the Warriors’ front office, particularly since Kevin Durant’s departure in 2019—a move that cost the team $128 million in lost star power. While Curry has remained loyal to the Warriors, the franchise has often prioritized the future over fully committing to his immediate championship aspirations.
So, what exactly have the Lakers done for LeBron that the Warriors haven’t done for Curry? And is Golden State wasting Curry’s final prime years by not making the same sacrifices? Let’s break it all down.
Lakers’ Ultimate Sacrifice for LeBron: Win-Now at Any Cost
Since LeBron James joined the Lakers in 2018, the franchise has operated with a win-now mentality, making aggressive moves to surround him with the best possible supporting cast.
Key Sacrifices the Lakers Have Made for LeBron:
- Traded Young Talent for Immediate Star Power – In 2019, the Lakers gave up Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and multiple first-round picks to acquire Anthony Davis, securing a second superstar next to LeBron.
- Revolving Roster Adjustments – The front office has constantly reshaped the roster to fit LeBron’s needs, including acquiring Russell Westbrook (then trading him), adding key veterans, and signing defensive specialists.
- No Long-Term Rebuild Plans – Unlike some franchises, the Lakers have never focused on the future while LeBron is still on the team. Every move is about competing now, not five years from now.
- Maximizing Contracts to Keep LeBron’s Core Intact – The Lakers have committed huge money to players like Davis, Austin Reaves, and key role players, ensuring LeBron always has a strong supporting cast.
This approach led to an NBA Championship in 2020, proving that when a franchise fully commits to a superstar’s title aspirations, it pays off.
What the Warriors Have Done Differently with Curry
While the Warriors have been one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, their approach since Kevin Durant’s departure has been very different from the Lakers’ aggressive win-now mindset.
Golden State’s Roster Decisions: Future Over Present
- Developing Young Talent Instead of Trading for Stars – After Durant left, the Warriors prioritized drafting and developing players like James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody instead of trading for a proven star to replace KD.
- Letting Key Players Walk – The team did not retain Kevin Durant, and later allowed Jordan Poole and other key contributors to leave instead of keeping a deep veteran roster.
- Conflicting Timelines – Golden State attempted to balance Curry’s championship window with a long-term rebuild, hoping young players could develop while Curry, Thompson, and Green still competed at a high level. This resulted in mixed success.
- No Big Star Trade for Curry – Unlike the Lakers, who aggressively traded for Anthony Davis, the Warriors never went all-in on acquiring another superstar to play alongside Curry after Durant’s exit.
Curry’s Frustration: A Lack of All-In Commitment?
Curry has always been the ultimate team-first superstar, but he has also been clear about his desire to compete for more championships. While the Warriors did win the 2022 title, their approach has sometimes left Curry without enough firepower to compete with teams like the Nuggets, Lakers, and Bucks.
Unlike LeBron, who has seen his front office reshape the roster every season to maximize his championship potential, Curry has had to wait for young players to develop and play through roster experiments that may not always give him the best chance to win now.
Would the Warriors Ever Make a “Lakers-Style” Move for Curry?
The big question remains: Will Golden State make an all-in move to give Curry one more dominant championship roster?
Possible Win-Now Moves the Warriors Could Make
- Trading Young Assets for a Star – The Warriors could move Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and draft picks to acquire a proven superstar, similar to what the Lakers did with Davis.
- Bringing in an Elite Big Man – One of the Warriors’ biggest weaknesses is size and interior defense. Trading for a player like Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam, or Karl-Anthony Towns could transform the team into a title favorite.
- Going All-In Financially – While the Warriors have one of the highest payrolls in the NBA, they have been hesitant to go deep into luxury tax penalties for certain players. The Lakers, on the other hand, have had no problem spending whatever it takes.
Final Thoughts: Will the Warriors Give Curry the LeBron Treatment?
The Lakers have shown that when a franchise is fully committed to winning now, it can extend a superstar’s championship window significantly. They have sacrificed future assets, reshaped their roster repeatedly, and taken financial risks to keep LeBron in contention.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have walked a fine line between competing and rebuilding, sometimes leaving Curry without the immediate roster upgrades he needs. While their approach has led to incredible long-term success, it raises the question:
Are the Warriors doing enough to maximize Curry’s final prime years?
With Curry still playing at an MVP level, Golden State has a limited window to make one last championship push. If the Warriors truly want to extend their dynasty, they may need to follow the Lakers’ lead—go all in, sacrifice the future, and do whatever it takes to give Curry the best possible team.
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