Unveiling the NBA’s all-loyalty teams

NBA first-team all-loyalty: Steph Curry, Dame Lillard, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic.

Aside from Udonis Haslem, superstar Stephen Curry is the only active player who has spent at least 13 seasons with one franchise. Better yet, he’s stated that he wants to finish his career with the Golden State Warriors.

Curry has put up terrific numbers during his time with the team and has led them to six NBA Finals and four championships. He also seems perfectly comfortable being the face of the franchise, and that only cements his legacy as a Bay Area icon.

Despite plenty of rumors over the last couple of seasons that Damian Lillard would want to leave the Portland Trailblazers, he is entering his 11th season with the team. He also recently signed a two-year extension, showing a willingness to stick it out in Portland and try and build a contender. That definitely counts for something, as does the fact that Lillard is the greatest player in franchise history and will only add to that legacy over the next couple of seasons.

Oh boy, while LeBron James is clearly still one of the best players in the NBA and certainly on this list, his inclusion might be controversial. James spent the first seven seasons of his career in Cleveland, playing near his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and helping build the team and the city back up. He then left to join the Miami Heat, creating plenty of animosity but was well within his rights.

James spent four seasons there before returning to Cleveland and playing another four years with the Cavs, something that few ever thought he’d do, showing that he really cared about the city.

Not only that, but he carried them to four straight NBA Finals and led them to one of the most improbable NBA Finals victories ever over the Golden State Warriors.

James is now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, and although he technically played for three teams, he spent a total of 11 seasons playing for the Cavs and never publicly asked for a trade. While there were issues with ownership, coaching, and even some of his teammates, it’s clear that the Cavaliers hold a special place in his heart. He promised the team and the city a championship and delivered Cleveland’s first title in 52 seasons. That has to count for something.

For years, the Milwaukee Bucks toiled in mediocrity, until they made a home-run pick when they selected Giannis Antetokounmpo 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. The Greek Freak has completely transformed the team’s fortunes in his nine seasons with the team, even leading them to their first championship since 1971 in 2021.

He’s also made it clear that he’s happy playing for the small-market Bucks and even signed a contract extension while bigger market teams like Miami and Toronto were angling to sign him away. At only 27, and with three years remaining on his contract, the Bucks will be a contender as long as Antetokounmpo remains in Milwaukee, and he’s given no indication that he’ll leave anytime soon.

After being taken 41st overall in the 2014 NBA draft, few would have expected that Nikola Jokic would play seven seasons with the team, let alone win two league MVPs as a member of the Nuggets. That’s exactly what’s happened, however, and he could not only win another MVP next season but eventually lead the Nuggets to the NBA Finals.

Moreover, with Jokic under contract for at least another four seasons, after signing a super-max extension, we’ll see him in Denver for years to come.