LeBron James gave serious consideration to joining the Golden State Warriors this offseason, but according to one of his closest friends in the NBA, the backlash that would have followed proved too much to overcome.
Warriors forward Draymond Green believes the outside noise surrounding a potential move played a major role in James ultimately choosing the Philadelphia 76ers instead.
Green explained that Golden State always faced one major obstacle despite the mutual interest.
“I ultimately don’t think Bron was ever able to get over the history and I understand it, I get it,” Green said on his podcast. “What we all ultimately always knew is that’s the hurdle to get over. We live in a day and age where everybody who doesn’t have anything to say have something to say.
“And so, he’s gonna get crushed if he comes to the Warriors, ‘Ah man you went to team up with Steph, ah man you had to go to them.’ And ultimately I think that weighed in on the decision a lot, that played a big role in the Warriors not landing LeBron.”
James instead signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers after what became one of the biggest free agency decisions of the summer.
Choosing between Philadelphia and Golden State was an extremely difficult decision, according to Rich Paul, James’ longtime agent. Those two teams ultimately emerged as the final contenders for his signature, despite widespread expectations that either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat would be the favourites because of James’ championship history with both organisations.
Green’s comments also highlight just how much the Warriors-Cavaliers rivalry may have continued to shape James’ thinking years after the two franchises met in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 through 2018.
Although fans were able to see James and Curry thrive together during the 2024 Paris Olympics, Green believes the scrutiny surrounding a move to Golden State ultimately proved too significant for James to ignore, sending him to Philadelphia instead.
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