Knowing LeBron James would be their last legitimate chance to deliver overdue reparations to the legend of Stephen Curry, the Warriors’ front office paused much of its offseason business to hold the door open for the 41-year-old superstar.They planned and plotted. Curry, as a nod to mutual respect between him and James, laid a welcome mat. Draymond Green unlocked a financial door through which his good friend, LeBron, could enter. Their effort to close the deal seemed to put Golden State in excellent position.
Visualizing the staggering significance of a Curry-James partnership, the front office spent months sniffing for a whiff of James.
And that’s all it got. A whiff.
After a few days pondering the idea of becoming a Warrior, LeBron on Friday announced he would chase his fifth ring as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.
James joins a championship-level roster, as the Sixers have 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, who was acquired on July 6 from the Boston Celtics. In addition, Philly has perhaps the league’s most talented young backcourt in guards Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. When all are...