Steve Kerr wasn’t bothered by the idea of LeBron James in a Warriors uniform. If anything, he was ready for it.
Speaking recently on The Tom Tolbert Show, the Golden State coach made it clear he would have welcomed the four-time MVP, even with the baggage that comes from years of Finals battles between the two sides.
"So, I mean, just as a coach and having coached him in the Olympics -- sign me up. ... But it's been interesting hearing our fans.
I think fans, you know, because of the emotional connection you have to your team and rivalries and all that stuff, I think it was just a weird thought. That's the reaction I'm getting from a lot of people," Kerr said.
The reaction around James joining Golden State was always going to be loud. It was a controversial idea from the start, and the debate only intensified before James eventually made his shock move to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.
Kerr, though, has already said he never viewed the Warriors as a real landing spot for James. Still, the speculation had plenty of fuel, especially when Draymond Green opted out of his player option right before free agency and the rumor mill started spinning.
James dragged the process deep into July, keeping his decision close to the vest during a frantic three-week stretch. In the end, he passed on Golden State and the favored Cleveland Cavaliers, among others, and signed a two-year, $7.9 million contract with Philadelphia.
For Golden State, the interest made sense. The Warriors were coming off a frustrating season that left them 10th in the Western Conference, and James represented the biggest difference-maker they could have added without giving up assets.
That appeal went beyond his status as a top 20 player. The real draw was the price tag: James was willing to take a veteran minimum deal while chasing another shot at success late in his career.
But the Warriors never landed him because they couldn’t offer the clearest path to winning. That leaves Kerr and the staff trying to push an older, injury-prone roster back into the playoff picture, with two of their best players, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, starting the season on the sidelines.
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Warriors Send An Early Roster Signal Fans Probably Didnt Expect
The Warriors last round of additions already offered an early glimpse at how they may be sorting out the back end of the roster. Brandon Williams and Georges Niang were both signed last month, but the path each player took into camp looks very different. Williams had a strong season in Dallas, while Niang is coming off an injury-riddled year that kept him out entirely, which is why the paperwork attached to the two signings stood out so much.
Golden States choice to favor Niang in that setup was a bit of a head-scratcher on the surface, especially given how little he has played recently. It has created a small but meaningful roster and payroll wrinkle for a team that usually leaves itself little room for missteps, and it puts extra attention on how the Warriors manage the rest of the roster from here. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Could Revisit Ben Simmons If One Roster Question Changes
Ben Simmons remains a name to keep in the back pocket for Golden State, even after the initial buzz around him has cooled. The Warriors have already taken a long look at what he offers in theory - size, ball handling and the kind of defensive versatility that can help a roster in different ways - and his current stop in Sacramento keeps the door open for another evaluation if things go well early.
For the Warriors, the appeal is tied to both Simmons ability to rebuild his value and to how their own roster looks down the line. If he can stabilize his standing with the Kings, Golden State could circle back, especially if the teams future makeup changes in a way that clears a more natural role for him. Right now, it is less a done deal than a possibility worth tracking, but it is exactly the sort of possibility the Warriors have shown they are willing to revisit. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Are Watching One Orlando Situation For A Much Bigger Reason
The Warriors are keeping a close eye on Orlandos offseason business because contract negotiations can quickly turn into future trade clues. Anthony Black is in the middle of extension talks with the Magic, and the way that deal is handled could matter well beyond Central Florida for a Golden State front office that is always scanning for the next opportunity to reshape its roster. Orlando also enters the year with a new coach in Sean Sweeney, along with expiring contracts and draft capital that could give the team flexibility if it decides to adjust on the fly.
From the Warriors side, the real intrigue is whether Orlando looks steady enough to keep its current core intact or shaky enough to invite bigger roster questions later. If the Magic stumble early, their direction could become one of the more closely watched situations in the league, especially for a Golden State team that may be looking ahead to next summer as much as the season in front of it. [Read more 🡒]