The Golden State Warriors were never really that close to landing LeBron James in free agency this summer, despite all the wild chatter. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr just laid it all out for Logan Murdock of The Ringer, admitting the pursuit “never went wrong” because it was straight up “never really that close” to begin with. Turns out, all that buzz was just that: buzz, and nothing more, at least from Kerr’s perspective.
Why Kerr Knew It Was Never Happening
You gotta hand it to Kerr, he was playing it cool while the rumor mill was going absolutely bonkers. He knew LeBron pretty well from their time with Team USA at the Olympics, and he shot James a text during free agency just to say, “Hey, if we have something to chat about, let me know.” Guess what? Kerr never heard back. He wasn’t offended, though. He figured if LeBron was truly interested, he wouldn’t just be talking to Steph Curry and Draymond Green, he’d be reaching out directly for real discussions. So, while everyone was losing their minds, Kerr was sitting there, thinking, “No, he’s not.” It makes you wonder how much actual fact there is behind so many of these huge free agency whispers, doesn’t it?
The Warriors’ Pitch, LeBron’s Age, and Draymond’s Dance
The whole idea of LeBron to Golden State really picked up steam when Draymond Green turned down his $27.7 million player option, creating some cap flexibility. The Warriors’ pitch was obviously going to be all about LeBron playing alongside Stephen Curry, especially after those two showed some “incredible on-court chemistry” with Team USA during the 2024 Olympics, where they won gold in Paris. LeBron even said playing with Curry was “everything and more.” But let’s be real, the Warriors’ roster talent wasn’t quite on the same level as other big suitors like the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, or Cleveland Cavaliers. Their top three guys were Curry, Green (who’d need a lower salary deal to stay), and Brandin Podziemski. Plus, there were injury questions: Jimmy Butler’s torn ACL meant he wouldn’t be back until January or February, and LeBron’s 42nd birthday is coming up on December 30. He might not be physically able to shoulder the load like he used to, even with Curry, who just had an injury scare himself (though Kerr says he’s fine for the opener). Kerr believes LeBron “made the right decision,” heading to a team where he could be “the new guy” but also one that hadn’t won a title in 40-plus years. After James made his decision, Green ended up signing a one-year deal with the Warriors for the same $27.7 million he had originally opted out of.
LeBron ultimately chose the 76ers, joining a stacked roster that already had Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe. That’s a strong mix of established vets and rising young talent, perfect for taking some of the pressure off LeBron. So, while the fantasy of seeing LeBron and Curry on the same NBA team was fun to dream about, Kerr clearly wasn’t ever prepping for it to actually happen. We’ll have to wait until March 24 when the Warriors host the 76ers to finally see Curry and James face off this season. Get ready for that one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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