Warriors’ Curry Clashing With Front Office on Personnel Decisions: Report

[sonnyhill]

The below article also references a "HoopsHype" podcast where Anthony Slater of The Athletic also discusses this organizational tension (https://hoopshype.com/lists/podcast-stephen-curry-klay-thompson-injury-ben-simmons-trade-draymond-green-warriors-future/).

The narrative in the below article dovetails nicely with what many of us on this forum discuss/debate/argue over regularly.

Warriors’ Curry Clashing With Front Office on Personnel Decisions: Report
By Max Dible

The Golden State Warriors have lost just one game this season but despite the success, it has not been all sunshine and smiles in the Bay Area.

For the first time, the team that went to five straight NBA Finals last decade has become the subject of rumors involving at least mild discord within the inner circle of its organization. That friction begins with the face of the franchise, point guard Steph Curry.

In short, Curry wants Warriors owner Joe Lacob and president of basketball operations Bob Myers to go all-in with win-now moves that would likely involve trading some of the team’s young assets for an established star. Lacob and Myers, however, have taken a longer view — at least up to this point.

Anthony Slater, of The Athletic, appeared on the HoopsHype podcast with Michael Scotto Wednesday, November 3 to discuss the tension between Curry and Dubs’ management over player personnel decisions. Slater stated:

They’re really in a transition phase as a franchise. Ownership is clearly prioritizing the long-term along with winning now. Joe Lacob would argue he’s paying the highest tax bill ever and is trying to win this season.

They also have three lottery picks in the last two years, and they’ve gone teenagers with all three, and projects with two of them in James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga. Lacob has made it clear he’s not interested in trading those guys. He’s interested in those guys bridging into the next decade. That’s a little counterintuitive to what Curry wants. He wants to maximize the next few years. I think there could’ve been, and really behind the scenes, there has been a little friction about that juggling of timelines.

Conflict Could Drive Curry From Golden State Down the Road

To be clear, a divorce between Curry and the Warriors is far from imminent. But long-term NBA relationships have ended before over differences between players and ownership on personnel and/or the general direction of the team. See Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, for instance.

The Warriors, still without shooting guard Klay Thompson until at least Christmas, have built a 6-1 record on the back of Curry’s offense, Draymond Green’s defense and a stable of young upstart players like Jordan Poole, Damion Lee and Gary Payton II, to name just a few. The team clearly has a window now to contend for a championship, with its Big 3 all under contract. That window won’t be open forever, though, as all three have birthdays coming up in the latter half of the regular season — Curry will turn 34, while Green and Thompson will each turn 32.

Slater said that, at least for now, Curry is fully committed to remaining a Warrior for life. However, any years he considers squandered after two seasons lost to injuries suffered by both himself and Thompson could add some animosity to the equation.

“Curry said he wants to be in Golden State and signed a full five-year max. Now that he’s locked into that one, which will take him into his mid- to late-30s, I think he’s pretty dead set on finishing out as a Warrior,” Slater said. “His family loves the Bay Area. He will be the number one franchise icon.”

Slater continued, saying that Curry has invoked the names of famous one-team players across the world of sports when talking about the kind of legacy he wants to leave in the NBA — another good omen for working things out in Golden State.

“He’s mentioned Tim Duncan, Derek Jeter, Dirk Nowitzki. Those situations and those careers really appeal to him, and the idea of being a one-franchise superstar,” Slater said. “I think the most sensitive potential situation would’ve been right now if he decided not to sign his extension this past summer.”

Should the Warriors win a title this year or the next without making a move for a fourth star, the argument is likely put to bed. But falling even one win short in an NBA Finals will create some urgency among the Warriors’ Big 3, as Green only has two years left on his current contract with a player option after this season.

[cdubbz]

Nothing we didn't already know.

No need to rush a trade just now. More players may be available after December or around the trade deadline. Not anyone in particular I'm interested in, unless Wiggins really takes a step back with Klay.

[Old_Blue]

Meh. Then why did Curry just sign a four year extension? As to the underlying question of whether the team should trade young assets for another star player, it's a tough call. Team chemistry seems great. Klay will be returning in a couple of months and (most importantly) nothing has changed on the trade front. Simmons is the only name currently being bandied about and who needs any part of that? Give it a couple of months and at least one team expected to contend will have been exposed and more trade possibilities will have opened up. At that time, for the right player, would I be willing to part with Wiseman and/or Kuminga? Yes. Yes, I would.

[clyde21]

call BS on this clickbait.

[DIO]

it's nothing new nothing secret

[Senchu]

So this is just some clickbait opinion peace without any sources and quotes?

". I think there could’ve been, and really behind the scenes, there has been a little friction about that juggling of timelines."

Now my quote "I think Slater is wrong and I think Curry could agree with my quote."

[xdrta+]

Must be boring to write about the boring Warriors, you have to dream up something exciting.

[a8bil]

Just for **** and giggles, I wonder who Steph would consider an ideal veteran to add to the team if the article has any shred of truth.
GSW runs such a different offense than other teams, with the ball often finding Curry for scoring. Who besides a player like KD would be a material upgrade? A lot of the names being thrown around here would not be an upgrade IMO...just another player demanding the ball and scoring at a less efficient rate.

Apart from that question, does Steph think his legacy will be enhanced if he brings in another superstar? There's an argument to be made (has been made) that the KD era diminished each of their legacies a bit. If Steph took this team to a finals win, he would be cemented moreso as one of the greatest players of all time. He may be thinking that outcome is improbable without some upgrade. Maybe then, not another superstar, but a high end complimentary player...

[HiRez]

All it's missing is the threat that Curry could end up seeking refuge with the Knicks or Lakers.

[Impuniti]

Curry signs 4 year deal, would have been 8 if he was truly happy.

[sonnyhill]

KD was signed primarily because the Warriors had lacked a player who could create his own shot off the dribble and at crunch time.

With the advent-and-development of Poole, the team now has someone who can fill the void left with Durant's departure.

Currently, while the team is doing surprisingly well in its rebounding, having a center who can defend opposing "bigs," play solid help defense, protect the rim, and grab rebounds is missing from the roster equation. Can Wiseman be "that guy?" If he isn't, a realistic trade could be for Myles Turner of the Pacers.

Lacob has chosen a strategy of developing potential future cornerstone players (Wiseman, Kuminga, Poole, Moody) while currently competing. Curry knew this when he signed his extension.

Before any player (Curry, Green, etc.) clamors for trading away young talent, he should first focus his attention on cutting down on unforced offensive turnovers.

Taking advantage of the easy part of the schedule is smart, and the team should have a really good record coming out of this current homestand. We fans should also be prepared for a downward dip as the team integrates soon-to-return Wiseman and Thompson. Adjustments will be made. Once Wiseman and Thompson are fully reintegrated into the rotation, the real evaluation of the team should occur (perhaps, the final 1/3 of the season).

It is too early in the season for anyone to get anxious about trading away young talent and bringing in "win now" veterans.

[GunnerWRX]

Hey Max, the link didn’t have “clash” at all. Is it just some **** you came up with so ppl look into this sorry thread?

[HiRez]

Taking advantage of the easy part of the schedule is smart, and the team should have a really good record coming out of this current homestand. We fans should also be prepared for a downward dip as the team integrates soon-to-return Wiseman and Thompson. Adjustments will be made. Once Wiseman and Thompson are fully reintegrated into the rotation, the real evaluation of the team should occur (perhaps, the final 1/3 of the season).

It'll get tougher but I don't know it's be too sharp of a drop because Steph's shot hasn't really been there yet. He's gone through some extensive slumps before so we don't know when it will return, but we can be pretty sure it will, probably with a vengeance. I also think Kerr is going to be very careful integrating Wiseman. He won't start for a while at least and he's not going to get minutes in critical games if he's a detriment to winning. Right now I think this team can compete with any other in the league, they won't win every game but that defense is for real and will throw a wrench in the works of teams with a well-oiled offense.

[killmongrel]

BOB: "I really believe in these young rooks."

STEPH: "Yeah, they seem promising. Let's see how it goes."

ATHLETIC: "They're not on the same page! Huzzah!"

[Old_Blue]

KD was signed primarily because the Warriors had lacked a player who could create his own shot off the dribble and at crunch time.

With the advent-and-development of Poole, the team now has someone who can fill the void left with Durant's departure.

Slow your roll bro.

[watch1958]

Be funny if the wheels fell off in Brooklyn, Durant wants to bail on Harden, and the Warriors get him back on his long term deal by sending Wiggins & young guys back.

[DevinVassell]

max dible huh... I'm not even going to capitalise this blokes name. Rubbish clickbait media.

Let's for fun say theoretically Steph wanted a stronger, smarter, veteran player added to the squad. Well... someone who just signed yet ANOTHER max contract (which obviously directly effects all other roster decisions) dosnt have bugger all right to ask for more. That much should be obvious in my book.

Love you Steph!

[floppymoose]

Be funny if the wheels fell off in Brooklyn, Durant wants to bail on Harden, and the Warriors get him back on his long term deal by sending Wiggins & young guys back.

I’d rather have a GSW/BKN finals this season as the teams are currently constructed.

[Coxy]

A superstar would like the team to trade for more firepower so they can blow teams out nightly and win championships, what a shocking thought process that is.

[wco81]

There's no good trade to be made anyways.

It isn't worth overpaying for Simmons or Beal. And Beal says he doesn't want to leave DC.

So there's nothing out there.

If Curry wants them to trade for KAT, again, it's questionable that players have a good idea on how to improve rosters.

After all, the Lakers look bad right now because their superstars lobbied for Westbrook trade.