Jerry Stackhouse, a retired NBA player and former Golden State Warriors assistant coach, believes that adding a player like Kawhi Leonard or LeBron James to the Warriors could “rejuvenate” the squad.
Jerry Stackhouse says a piece like Kawhi or LeBron could rejuvenate the Warriors 👀
"I know it sounds crazy to think of Steph Curry as a secondary player, but he will be 39 this year and father time is undefeated… Jimmy's not gonna be a part of the picture."@jerrystackhouse… pic.twitter.com/5Mj8VI9sNs
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) June 2, 2026
“I’ve been hearing Kawhi,” Stackhouse said. “You’ve been hearing LeBron. Maybe getting a piece like that can rejuvenate everybody and can fill in the gaps on those times.”
Leonard is currently under contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, so the Warriors would have to execute a trade to bring him into the fold. James’ situation is a little different, as the Los Angeles Lakers star is an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he decides to return for a 24th NBA season.
Both Leonard and James are older players, but they are champions that know what it takes to win.
A two-time NBA Finals MVP, Leonard had one of the best seasons of his career in the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from 3. An All-NBA selection in the 2025-26 campaign, Leonard was able to stay healthy enough to play in 65 games for the Clippers.
James also had a strong 2025-26 season, though he only played in 60 games after missing the start of the campaign with sciatica. Still, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from 3.
Then, in the playoffs, James led the Lakers past the Houston Rockets in the first round even with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves banged up.
The Warriors’ 2025-26 season was derailed by Jimmy Butler suffering a torn ACL, and it’s possible the team will look to make a win-now move to give Stephen Curry another chance to win a ring.
Curry is a four-time champion and was the best player on a title team in the 2021-22 season when Golden State defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Adding a proven star like Leonard or James could push the Warriors back into contention in the West.
Unfortunately, Stackhouse won’t be a part of the Golden State organization in the 2026-27 season. He spent two seasons in Golden State as an assistant, but he is departing the franchise after his contract expired at the end of the 2025-26 season.
