The Golden State Warriors pulled off a blockbuster move before they even had to worry about Kevin Durant. Stephen Curry and the Warriors went after LeBron James, believing it was their best option if they wanted to win another title. The plan worked until James left for the Lakers in free agency.
The “kevin durant golden state” has been a long time coming. The Warriors went after LeBron James before they ever dreamed of signing Kevin Durant.
“In a move that will alter the course of NBA history, LeBron James has joined forces with Stephen Curry to become the Golden State Warriors.”
That, of course, never occurred. However, it was possible.
When LeBron James’ contract with the Miami Heat ended, he spoke with other teams to discuss free agency options. He famously returned to Cleveland and defeated Steph Curry and the Warriors for the Cavs’ lone title.
Golden State, on the other hand, was dead intent on bringing The King to Oakland.
Before making his second decision, LeBron James rode the free-agent carousel one again.
One of the most pivotal moments in NBA history was LeBron James’ decision to join the Heat and play with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven titles were won by LeBron and his teammates.
The group is often referred to as the “Original Big Three.” (It isn’t.)
Before entering free agency again, James and the Heat won two championships in 2012 and 2013.
LeBron James went through the identical procedure he did four years before in the summer of 2014. According to Bleacher Report, the Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers were the speculated destinations this time.
Another alternative was to stay in Miami with his friends. James eventually returned to his hometown of Cleveland. Golden State, on the other hand, was feverishly trying to get in on the action, hoping to form a powerful tandem with LBJ and Steph.
The Warriors were keen to put LeBron James and Stephen Curry together.
During the first half of the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, both members of Team LeBron, react. | Getty Images/Kevin C. Cox
So, after four seasons and two championships with The Heatles, James was rumored to be on the move once again.
Speculation was prevalent in 2010, and it was rampant again in 2018. However, King James might have teamed up with Chef Curry and the Warriors in one of the possibilities that may have played out.
Marcus Thompson explained how much Golden State wanted LeBron in a 2018 report for The Athletic:
The Warriors worked tirelessly behind the scenes to get a meeting with LeBron James. I was unable to complete the task. That summer, James’ agent Rich Paul visited with the Rockets, Mavericks, Lakers, and Suns. He finally said that he will return to Cleveland.
The Warriors, who had Andre Iguodala as their starting small forward and Harrison Barnes as a backup, were without a No. 2 star at the time — it was (David) Lee — and LeBron’s spot was wide open. The Warriors would have gladly dealt Iguodala and/or Barnes for LeBron James (in a sign-and-trade). Curry, (Klay) Thompson, LeBron, Lee, and Andrew Bogut would have been on the list.
Then, like in that 2014 training camp, Lee would have been injured, Green would have started in his stead, and LeBron would have led the most brilliant young supporting cast he’s ever had.
The Warriors, on the other hand, were unable to get a meeting.
Marcus Thompson of The Athletic writes on the Warriors’ 2014 effort to get LeBron James.
Maybe if James and Paul had known what we know now, they would have at least listened to the Warriors. However, hindsight is 20/20, and delivering a championship to Cleveland is very certainly LeBron’s career-defining moment.
Both players went on to win championships… However, can you imagine?
Four years after LeBron left the league, James and Curry faced off in the NBA Finals.
Golden State triumphed in 2015, Cleveland triumphed in 2016, and the Warriors won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. Whatever hopes the Akron native had after signing with the Cavs were blown out of the sea.
Kevin Durant was an integral component of Golden State’s titles in 2017 and 2018. If LeBron had chosen to go to Oakland, he would never have teamed up with Steph.
In four consecutive Finals, the two faced off against one other. Could they have played four games in a row together? Could they have made it four in a row?
We’ll never know for sure. However, it’s an intriguing mental experiment.
What would the NBA look like today if LeBron and Steph teamed up in 2014?
Basketball Reference provided all statistics.
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