Bay Area radio host Daryle “Guru” Johnson called out the Golden State Warriors’ office for their passive approach to improving Steph Curry’s supporting cast this offseason. The Warriors have been linked to big names like Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James, but haven’t made moves around the edges.
They lost out on the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes to the Miami Heat. While the chase for James remains alive, it seems the Warriors might lose that battle as five other teams are in contention to sign the 41-year-old. All others have a better shot than Golden State with a capable roster or new trades this offseason that improve their case to entice James.
On Monday’s segment of the Steiny and Guru show on 95.7 The Game, Johnson felt the Warriors should have done more while they play the waiting game for James.
“I still think he’s [Curry] box office, I know he is, when he’s healthy,” Johnson told his co-host, Matt Steinmetz. “So this [James rumors] is just to me an extension of ‘all-in for Steph,’ but I am shocked that there were no other moves around the edges or some chances taken in regard to bringing some other young talent in here, just in case you don’t get him [James]. … I feel like Steph [Curry] deserves better.”
The Warriors have been linked to Trey Murphy III from the New Orleans Pelicans, but they never made the move. New Orleans demanded multiple first-round picks, and Golden State stayed put. Instead, the Warriors kept their 11th pick and drafted Yaxel Lendeborg. They will have their other three picks to trade in 2028, 2030 (if it falls within the 1-20 range), and 2032. Golden State also boasts five second-round picks.
The Warriors have needs in the wing spots, but they haven’t looked for outside help just yet, re-signing their own free agents, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and De’Anthony Melton thus far.
Warriors’ Hopes Of Pairing Steph Curry And LeBron James Continue To Fade: Report
The Warriors were the favorites the moment LeBron James’ decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers was official. Draymond Green had just opted out, while there were murmurs that Golden State could trade for Anthony Davis to lure James in free agency.
While Green remains unsigned, the trade buzz linking them to Davis faded, and so did the optimism that James would join them. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that Golden State will keep a roster spot open until James makes his decision, but they don’t have high hopes of the star arriving in the Bay Area this fall.
“On the James front, Warriors sources continue to express a low level of optimism that James will ultimately pick them as his next team, but they intend to keep roster space open for James until he ultimately declares his choice,” Slater said.
The Warriors, even with James’ addition, aren’t favored to contend in the Western Conference. Most teams, not just the West, but across the league, have become younger, or at least have a young supporting cast around their best players. The Warriors don’t.
While a duo of LeBron James and Steph Curry, if healthy, can still make some noise in the playoffs, there’s uncertainty whether their bodies can handle the toll of an 82-game season and help Golden State secure a favorable seed.
That could drive James away from choosing the Warriors as his next team. He would prefer any of the other five teams – the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, or Minnesota Timberwolves, instead.
Read more:
- LeBron James Makes Himself Unavailable For Meetings in Free Agency, Counts on Rich Paul For Grunt Work: Report
- Report Suggests Lakers May Have Fumbled LeBron James’ Potential Return on a Massive Pay Cut
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