The league is clearly tilting toward its next wave. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, and Cade Cunningham, you can clearly see it. And as that happens, the defining stars of the last decade are naturally being pushed a step to the side.
That group, of course, is LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. They can still take over games and look like their old selves, but it’s no longer as consistent as it once was. LeBron is 41. Curry has dealt with injuries this season. Durant, while still a major scoring threat, doesn’t quite carry the same MVP aura he once had.
And with that shift becoming harder to ignore, former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce offered a blunt take. He doesn’t believe they can still win a championship as the No. 1 option like they once did.
“I think at this age, he (KD) doesn’t influence winning like he did in OKC or Golden State. He can’t be the best player on your championship team right now. I say that about him, LeBron, and I also say that about Curry right now. They can’t be your best players on championship teams at this stage of their careers. They need to play with somebody that’s better than them. That’s why the Lakers look better, because they have a player that’s better than LeBron.”
Paul Pierce says LeBron, Steph, and Kevin Durant can’t win a championship as the number 1 option anymore:
“I think at this age he (KD) doesn’t influence winning like he did in OKC or Golden State. He can’t be the best player on your championship team right now. I say that about… pic.twitter.com/o3F0gmrGzQ
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) March 27, 2026
