Warriors fans will forever imagine what could have been had LeBron James chose to play in the Bay Area.
Would Golden State have won a title? Probably not.
LeBron James and Steph Curry teamed up for the first time in their careers at the 2024 Paris Olympics. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
But the next two seasons for the Warriors would have been a movie. Everyone knew it, including James.
On the Game Over podcast, Rich Paul discussed how difficult it was for the 41-year-old to say no to the Warriors.
“That was a very tough one,” Paul told co-host Max Kellerman.
“Who wouldn’t want to play with Steph Curry and Draymond Green in the Bay Area?” he added.
The Warriors were once seen as the favorite to sign James this summer after rumors swirled surrounding a trade for Anthony Davis. That would have given the veteran a chance to reunite with one of his former teammates while also taking the court with Steph Curry following their magical gold medal run at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
But the Washington Wizards were content to keep Davis and the Warriors weren’t willing to strike a deal for the big man. That left Golden State as a dark horse in the sweepstakes for James.
LeBron ultimately chose to sign a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers after a month-long free agency saga that left the league holding its breath.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer will likely end his career in Philadelphia as he pursues one last NBA championship before retirement.
Rich Paul revealed it was difficult for LeBron James to reject the Warriors. Getty Images
Golden State is left with a glaring hole on the roster and James joining the Warriors is, as they say, history.
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