LeBron James Names Active Player As Most Dominant Opponent Ever
Few players are as qualified as LeBron James is to talk about the all-time great basketball players from a historical perspective. James is not only arguably the greatest player ever, but his longevity makes him more informed to compare multiple eras. Strong play from 2003 to 2025 has seen LeBron suiting up against every active player from that time.
The Mind the Game podcast conversation this week focused on James discussing the most dominant player he’s ever played against. LeBron told co-host Steve Nash that Nikola Jokic is both the most dominant and the most complete player he’s had to oppose since joining the NBA.
“I will say this. There has not been a more dominant, complete player that I’ve played against, in the sense of all the attributes,” James said about his battles against Jokic during his
LeBron Rates Jokic Above Past Rivals
The most interesting thing about this topic is that many fans would have guessed other names ahead of Jokic. James’ 2000s run established him as a star against many all-time icons. Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett all competed at the highest level when he entered the league.
O’Neal is often considered the most dominant player of all-time, but LeBron thinks Jokic dominated in more ways than just scoring like Shaq. The 2010s featured Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant
Bryant, Curry, and Durant are the top names that would be in the mix with Jokic for this specific discussion. LeBron getting eliminated multiple times in the postseason by Jokic and the
LeBron Listed Many Reasons For Jokic
Recent conversations around the NBA media world have seen names like Stan Van Gundy and Marcus Morris listing where they think Jokic ranks historically. Both sides have valid points, but a name like LeBron arguing for him sways the debate. James is commended for his versatility and ability to contribute to the game in many ways, so it makes sense he values the same thing in Jokic.
LeBron shared the following to further explain his comment:
“From the passing, to the shooting, to the rebounding, to the attention. There’s nothing he cannot do on the offensive end. Like, nothing at all. Nothing. You try to double him, he’s going to make you pay. You try to play him single coverage, he’s going to make you pay. He even brings the ball up the floor, they outlet the ball to him.”
James and Jokic are considered two of the smartest minds in NBA history to continue bonding them as similar players in more than one way. Jokic has proven he is truly among the all-time elite NBA players and LeBron believes he deserves a high rank all-time for it.
Why the Warriors Should Target This Scorer in a Blockbuster Trade

The Golden State Warriors are running out of ways to mask the same issue that keeps sinking them night after night. Their offense goes cold for long stretches, their spacing tightens the moment
Wednesday’s loss to Houston showcased all of it again. The Warriors endured another long scoring drought, generated limited paint touches and found themselves relying almost entirely on Curry and
The Golden State Warriors anticipate Stephen Curry will miss around a week or a little more with a quad contusion suffered Wednesday night, sources tell me and
With the Warriors now sitting at 10 and 10 through 20 games, the team’s front office may have no choice but to consider more drastic paths to boost their scoring. And one new proposal suggests exactly that.
A fresh trade idea from Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has the Warriors swinging big for one of the league’s most high-volume shot-makers.
Warriors Floated in Blockbuster Trade Idea for Scoring Upgrade
Buckley’s mock deal sends Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, a top four protected 2026 first-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick swap to the Brooklyn Nets
From Golden State’s perspective, the appeal is obvious. Porter is a ready-made scoring punch. He is averaging more than 24 points per game in Brooklyn while taking on a featured role and hitting shots at scale. His size and quick-release jumper give him instant plug-and-play value in a system that desperately needs someone who can punish defenses for overloading on Curry.
Why the Warriors Might Consider a Porter Trade

GETTYMichael Porter Jr. wears a Brooklyn Nets uniform for the first time.
The Warriors sit near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency, and with Curry sidelined, their scoring issues look even more exposed. The offense has struggled to create advantages, generate easy shots and keep pace when Curry sits.
That is where Porter enters the conversation.
Porter is averaging 24.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in his first stretch with Brooklyn, reminding the league why his combination of size and shot-making can flip games. He was an ultra-efficient finisher next to
For Golden State, Porter checks several boxes:
-
Elite floor spacing
-
High-volume shot creation
-
Quick decision-making
-
Scoring consistency the roster currently lacks
As Buckley pointed out, Porter’s contract expires in 2027, the same offseason Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green come off the books. Golden State could theoretically take the short-term financial hit and reassess later.
And unlike Kuminga, Porter does not need a featured developmental role. He fits more seamlessly into a Curry-led system designed around quick reads, perimeter gravity and smart spacing.
The Massive Cost of Chasing Shot-Making
Now the downside: the price tag.
Moving Kuminga and Moody together is not something the Warriors envisioned a year ago. Kuminga has shown flashes of two-way dominance and Moody continues to grow as a scorer. Losing both, plus two picks, is a significant future bet.
There are also questions about Porter’s long-term reliability. His injury history is well-documented. He has missed major time in multiple seasons and still carries some durability concerns. If he breaks down or regresses, the Warriors would be left with less youth, fewer assets and no guaranteed star.
The contract remains difficult too. At $38.3 million this year alone, Porter’s salary is considered inflated by many around the league. While expiring in 2027 helps, it still forces Golden State to absorb a large cap hit now, at a time when they already face expensive tax payments.
There is also a strategic dilemma: Are the Warriors trading for the player Porter is now, or the version Denver just moved off of?
Brooklyn has showcased him well, but the
Why the Nets Would Say Yes
From Brooklyn’s perspective, the trade actually makes a lot of sense.
-
They add Kuminga, who offers high-upside athleticism and defensive versatility.
-
They add Moody, a potential long-term scoring option.
-
They get multiple draft assets.
-
They can still flip Hield to a playoff team in need of shooting.
For a franchise retooling on the fly, that combination is appealing.
Is Porter the Answer the Warriors Are Searching For?
This is the biggest question.
Golden State wants more offense. They want quicker reads, stronger spacing and a scorer who can produce without Curry orchestrating every possession. Porter checks all of those boxes. He fits stylistically. He alleviates pressure. And he offers the kind of shot-making that can win playoff games.
But the cost is steep. The financial risk is real. And giving up two former lottery picks for a player Denver recently moved with a pick attached is a gamble that only makes sense if Golden State believes Porter’s surge in Brooklyn represents a new chapter, not a hot streak.
If the Warriors are truly desperate to jolt their offense — and they might be — this could be the kind of blockbuster move they entertain.
If not, Porter’s price will remain a dividing line between fans who want immediate improvement and those who prefer preserving the future.
Whatever side you fall on, the discussion itself reveals the truth. Golden State is searching for clarity, for structure, for someone who can ease the weight on Curry’s shoulders. Porter cannot fix everything, but he brings a part of what this team is missing. And if the Warriors are serious about honoring the final chapters of Stephen Curry’s brilliance, this is the type of swing they may need to take.