Steph Curry thwarts LeBron James' strategy: The only NBA trend the Warriors star refuses to follow

LeBron James changed teams again this summer, but Stephen Curry has made it clear that his own NBA journey is heading in a very different direction. James ended his eight-year run with the Los Angeles Lakers after deciding to join the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, eight-million-dollar deal, giving the four-time champion a fresh title chase.

Curry , meanwhile, is entering the final year of his Golden State Warriors contract, creating speculation about whether James ' decision could influence his own plans. But the iconic basketballer, famed for his ability to shoot from range, was emphatic. “Not at all,” Curry said to CNBC. “I’ve always stated that I want to be a lifer with Golden State, what we’ve built there, the fact that I get to run it back this year with Draymond [Green] and Coach Kerr. “So all the contract stuff, this NBA thing from year to year is so crazy. Things change really fast, but I do know my interest and mission to stay in Golden State and be competitive is there, and the contract stuff will take care of itself.” The Warriors have also made their intentions clear as general manager Mike Dunleavy has said Golden State plans to offer Curry a two-year, $136.7 million extension, while acknowledging the final decision remains with the franchise icon. “I’m pretty confident Steph will finish his career here,” Dunleavy said. “But ultimately, it’s his call, his decision. We wouldn’t love it, but he’s earned the right to go where he wants.” So, whilst James has embraced another franchise and another challenge late in his career, Curry has repeatedly indicated that he wants his legacy to remain tied to Golden State . The Warriors ' next contract decision will determine when that commitment becomes official, but Curry has already drawn a clear line between his future and James ' latest career move.

Can the Philadelphia 76ers win the NBA Finals with LeBron?

Philadelphia 's decision to add James came after an aggressive offseason that also brought Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics . Paul George and a healthy dose of draft compensation is heading in the opposite direction to Massachusetts in the blockbuster trade. Brown joins James , Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey , giving the 76ers a dramatically reshaped core after the team finished 45-37 in the 2025/26 NBA season. The 76ers found themselves eliminated in the first round of the playoffs but that could be different this time around as James arrives after telling fans that winning remains central to his decision. The legendary player vowed his goal is to take the 76ers to the NBA Finals – but he major question now centers on whether that star power can actually do it. Philadelphia has assembled significant talent, but Embiid 's availability remains an important variable after he appeared in only 39% of the team's games over the previous three seasons. Whilst LeBron is supremely talented, he not getting any younger in his age 42 season so could the miles on the clock be too much for the 76ers veterans?