Iguodala: LeBron's interest in Warriors a testament to 'great' Curry's stature - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — A decade after Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors in an all-time «if you can't beat them, join them» move, LeBron James is contemplating a similar relocation.

Andre Iguodala, the 2015 Finals MVP in the first of the Warriors' three titles over James' Cleveland Cavaliers, says that James' interest in Golden State is a testament to Stephen Curry.

«As I've been saying since 2013, Steph Curry, no one understands how great he is,» Iguodala told ESPN on Friday after the National Basketball Players Association's executive leadership transition news conference.

Iguodala, who is being succeeded as NBPA executive director by former Warriors chief legal officer David Kelly, said that a recent text exchange with a friend crystalized the magnitude of James' interest in the Warriors.

«He's like, 'Steph Curry, if he's going to get another one of the greatest players of their generation to play on his team, what does it say about him?'» Iguodala said.

Durant's situation in 2016 is not what James is currently facing. Durant was 27 at the time, had yet to win a title and was months removed from failing to protect a 3-1 series lead to the 73-win Warriors.

James is 41. The last time he faced off against Golden State in the postseason was 2023, when James' Lakers beat Curry's Warriors 4-2 in the conference semifinals. Golden State went 37-45 this past season, failing to make it out of the play-in tournament.

Curry averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds and was an All-Star this past season.

«We have to look back like, 'Whoa,'» Iguodala said of his former teammate. «We'll still see his effect [on the game] 30, 40 years from now. People who never thought of playing in the NBA are trying to get there now