The Golden State Warriors never came close to signing LeBron James this offseason, according to coach Steve Kerr. Despite widespread reports suggesting the Warriors were a serious contender for the four-time NBA MVP, Kerr said the talks never developed beyond initial contact.
“I know LeBron now pretty well from the Olympics, and so I reached out to him during free agency and he’s always really good about responding to texts,” Kerr told The Ringer. “I just said, ‘Hey, if we have something to chat about, let me know.’ And I never heard back. And I wasn’t offended at all.”
While Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, both friends of James, were involved in recruiting efforts, Kerr made clear the Warriors’ pursuit was limited. The narrative of a potential Warriors-James pairing was fueled by James’s availability after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, but Kerr emphasized the relationship between James and Golden State’s organization complicated any serious chance.
“There was never really that close,” Kerr said. “Steph and Dray obviously are friends with him, so they were doing the recruiting.” Yet the history between James and the Warriors’ franchise, including their playoff battles and off-court tensions earlier in his career, made a reunion unlikely.
Landing James would have brought multiple benefits to Golden State. The team could have bolstered its roster on both ends of the floor, attracting other free agents and boosting merchandise sales. The pairing of James and Curry promised spectacle and championship potential, even as James’s age raised questions about his long-term impact.
Despite the buzz, the Warriors have moved on from chasing James. They are now focused on other roster moves ahead of the new NBA season. Kerr also shared positive updates on Jimmy Butler’s injury status, adding some optimism for Golden State’s competitive prospects on opening night.
Elsewhere in the NBA, Draymond Green hinted at retirement as he approaches his 15th season, while trade rumors swirl around Karl–Anthony Towns, though sources suggest a move is unlikely despite contract issues. The Philadelphia 76ers face fresh questions after comments by Joel Embiid raised doubts about their direction, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
For the Warriors, the LeBron James chapter has closed quietly, with Kerr’s remarks offering the clearest glimpse yet into how little the pursuit gained traction during the offseason.
According to Yahoo Sports.
