The NBA playoffs have a way of shaping legacies-and sometimes, reshaping rosters. Just ask Dillon Brooks. His high-profile clash with LeBron James during the 2023 playoffs didn’t just spark headlines; it may have played a part in ending his time with the Memphis Grizzlies.
That’s the angle Kendrick Perkins recently revisited on Road Trippin’, where he pointed to that playoff series as a pivotal moment in Brooks’ career arc. According to Perkins, Brooks’ decision to go at LeBron-both physically and verbally-wasn’t just a bold move, it was a costly one.
“That playoff series when he poked that bear,” Perkins said. “Y’all forget Memphis parted ways with Dillon Brooks.
Now it was a mistake on Memphis’ part, cuz I love Dillon Brooks, but I’m just saying.”
Let’s rewind. In that 2023 first-round series, Brooks didn’t just talk trash-he leaned into it.
He called out LeBron, challenged his age, and tried to rattle one of the most composed players the game has ever seen. But when you come at the king, you better not miss.
Brooks ended up getting ejected for a flagrant foul on James, and the fallout was swift. Memphis lost the series, and questions started swirling-not just about Brooks’ performance, but about his fit with the team moving forward.
By the offseason, the Grizzlies had decided to move on. Brooks signed with the Houston Rockets, a team looking to hit the reset button and build a new identity. And just like that, a playoff moment had turned into a franchise-altering decision.
Now, a few years removed from that series, the ripple effects are still being felt-especially as LeBron James once again takes center stage in league-wide conversations. At 41, he’s approaching free agency, and the league is watching closely.
One team in particular? The Golden State Warriors.
According to reporting from Jake Fischer, Golden State is keeping tabs on LeBron’s situation and could be a player in discussions if James hits the open market on June 30. The idea of pairing LeBron with Stephen Curry has been floated before, and while there’s no confirmation of any movement yet, the fact that it’s even part of the conversation shows how much sway James still holds.
LeBron’s influence isn’t just about what he does on the court-it’s about how teams position themselves around him. Whether it’s a young player like Dillon Brooks trying to make a name by challenging him, or a title-contending franchise exploring the possibility of bringing him in, LeBron remains a gravitational force in the NBA.
And that’s the thing about moments like the one in 2023-they don’t just live in the past. They echo into the present, shaping careers, team strategies, and league narratives.
Brooks learned that the hard way. Now, as free agency looms, LeBron’s next move could send another shockwave through the league.