As rumors swirl about LeBron James’ possible next chapter beyond the Los Angeles Lakers, his former teammate, Channing Frye, envisioned a nightmare scenario for the aging star forward.
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While many around the league are intrigued by the possibility of James teaming up with his longtime rival, Stephen Curry, in free agency, Frye outlined why signing with the Golden State Warriors would be a mistake for the four-time MVP.
Channing Frye Rejects Idea of LeBron James Joining Stephen Curry’s Warriors
James continued defying Father Time in Year 23, securing his record-extending 22nd All-Star selection behind All-NBA-caliber production. He followed that up by stepping up and carrying the injury-plagued Lakers to the second round of this year’s playoffs after they were written off with Luka Dončić (hamstring) sidelined.
Despite being 41, James still possesses the ability to swing an aspiring NBA title contender’s fortunes. However, Frye, who played alongside James during his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers and helped capture the 2016 championship against Golden State, would prefer the future Hall of Famer to retire at an elite level rather than risk an unfortunate end to his storied career.
“Bron’s my guy. I would rather him walk away from basketball with people saying, ‘What if?’ It’s not gonna happen,” Frye began during a Thursday appearance on “Up & Adams.”
“… This dude is averaging 25 points in the NBA still. Here’s the thing, some of your favorite players have not won a playoff series. LeBron, after 23 years, won a playoff series. I think we downplay this so much. It is not normal.
“… Throughout his career, he has done a lot of great things. He’s done a lot of losing, he’s done a lot of winning. I would rather see him walk away from basketball instead of something happening and they don’t make the playoffs, or someone gets hurt. That story’s not fun for me.”
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After acknowledging that his preferred outcome likely won’t come to fruition, Frye pinpointed Golden State as the most nightmarish of James’ reported viable free agency options.
The ex-floor-spacing 7-footer reasoned that the four-time champion’s four consecutive NBA Finals matchups against the Curry-led Warriors from 2015 to 2018 should be able to stand on their own, without being tainted.
“That’s gross, please don’t. Please don’t do that,” Frye implored James. “That is a nightmare. … It’s just such a bad story. Let that rivalry be a part of history. To go play with Steph and Jimmy [Butler] and Draymond [Green], I just, ugh, no.”
Per NBC Sports Bay Area & California’s Monte Poole, there is “curiosity on both sides” regarding James and the Warriors linking up. However, the insider noted that “it’s mostly up to LeBron,” who has, up to this point, remained tight-lipped about his next move.