The LeBron James free agency cycle lasted nearly a month. After announcing his decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, several teams became potential landing spots for him.
However, one franchise that was constantly in the rumor mill was the Golden State Warriors.
Given the history between the two sides, including four NBA Finals matchups, and the friendship and respect the four-time NBA champion had for Draymond Green and Stephen Curry, the idea had some legitimate merit. But head coach Steve Kerr wasn’t too optimistic about it.
Steve Kerr Saw LeBron James as an Unlikely Target
Once James’ decision to move to a new team became clear, the rumor mill started spinning. Some pegged a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers or even the Miami Heat, who were also adding Giannis Antetokounmpo to the roster.
Nearing the end of their careers, the thought of James teaming up with Curry seemed like the perfect storybook ending to a legendary career.
Add in the 41-year-old’s relationship with Green, the possibility of Golden State trading for Anthony Davis, all the pieces could have potentially lined up. This was especially after his agent, Rich Paul, confirmed that the Warriors were among the teams in the race.
However, as a four-time NBA champion as a head coach, Kerr didn’t believe that a move for James would actually become a reality. Despite the growing rumors, he knew the Warriors wouldn’t add the four-time MVP to their roster.
During a conversation with Anthony Slater of ESPN, he made that abundantly clear. “I didn’t even think we were realistically in the running for LeBron. It’s just that everyone kept saying we were. It never seemed serious to me despite all the reports.”
Steve Kerr: “I didn’t even think we were realistically in the running for LeBron, It’s just that everyone kept saying we were. It never seemed serious to me despite all the reports” pic.twitter.com/j6vGncwRCx
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) July 28, 2026
Ultimately, his assumption was proven correct when James announced his decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers.
But alongside the pursuit of the 22-time All-Star, Kerr had other things to worry about as well, including his own contract.
With the team landing in the Play-In each of the last three seasons, there was genuine doubt about Kerr returning to his head coaching role.
As his contract expired in the summer of 2026, those doubts got even stronger. However, the Warriors chose to extend Kerr’s contract for another two years, as he enters his 13th season as the team’s head coach.
