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via Reuters

via Reuters

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Debate

LeBron and Curry retiring soon—how will the NBA ever fill the void they leave behind?

As much as the fans want it to happen, it doesn’t look like Stephen Curry and LeBron James are going to join forces anytime soon. And it became evident after the Baby-Faced Assassin inked a one-year $62.6 million extension to secure his future in the Bay Area for the next three years. The next time Steph potentially becomes a free agent, he will be as old as King James is right now and the Lakers legend will be 42 and might’ve even hung his boots by then. But Dwight Howard has a master plan to make the fans’ wishes come true, and it would require the newly-formed Team USA Avengers duo to take a very long flight.

Despite Steph Curry’s latest extension, people are still hopeful about a possible team-up with LeBron James in the future. However, Nick Young didn’t seem too thrilled about it. “Bron would be 44. I don’t wanna see that. Who wants to see 44, 40, and 40 play basketball?” He then made a unique proposition, “They could come with me at the 35 and older league up the street. They could get it in adult league!”

However, Dwight one-upped Swaggy P’s offer on Gil’s Arena, saying, “Or they can come to Asia. Yeah, I got a league over there.” Yes, following his dominant run in the NBA and winning his maiden title with the Lakers, Dwight has found a new home in Taiwan in the last couple of years. First, he spent a season playing for the Taoyuan Leopards. But earlier this year, he took an even bigger leap by joining the Taiwan Mustangs and also becoming a part owner of The Asian Tournament, where the team plays.

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Like a true businessman, Dwight has already begun recruiting world-class talent as he made the pitch for LeBron and Steph to play in his league once they are done with the NBA. And it might not be a bad idea considering basketball is a massive deal in Asia as the continent has even produced a Hall of Fame talent like Yao Ming. Moreover, with legends like Steph and LeBron playing in Taiwan, it would attract more eyeballs to international leagues and impact global popularity.

Can Dwight Howard’s “amazing” experience get Steph and LeBron to Taiwan?

Sure, the idea of LeBron and Steph uprooting their lives to move overseas only to play together seems like a far-fetched dream. However, Dwight revealed the perks of making that move, which might make his case stronger. “I’m having an amazing time just to be able to get out and hoop. You know, it’s a different atmosphere, it’s fans that never had a chance to really come see an NBA game now they really get a chance to come watch us play, it’s an amazing feeling man.”

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via Reuters

Yes, while the NBA has its loyal fanbase, millions of fans in Asia and other parts of the world are also highly passionate about the game. Sure enough, even Steph and LeBron got a glimpse of it during the Paris Olympics. And Howard revealed how being exposed to a new fanbase rejuvenated his love for the game, “I feel like going over there, it brought me back to life.” Maybe, the move could have a similar impact on Steph and LeBron when they are older and have finished their NBA journey. Fans will then finally get a chance to witness the duo sharing the court one last time.

What’s your perspective on:

LeBron and Curry retiring soon—how will the NBA ever fill the void they leave behind?

Have an interesting take?

Do you think the two legends should consider Dwight’s ambitious offer? Most importantly, if you were a retiring popular NBA star, would you have done it?

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Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger