Stephen Curry has ruined the NBA. Mark Jackson called it, and even Kevin Durant has agreed with him. He’s the best shooter we’ve ever seen and the most unguardable point guard in the history of the game.
But, what if we told you that there’s a chance that he would have never had the chance to become the player he is nowadays? Moreover, what if he would’ve still been as good as he is, but he would not lead Golden State to the kind of success they’re enjoying right now?
Truth to be told, the Warriors were actually pretty close to giving up on the best player in the history of their franchise, as they almost traded him not once, not twice, but three times. Today, we’re going to let you know about the moves that could’ve changed NBA history for good.
3. Phoenix Suns (2009)
Being a sharpshooting guard himself, Steve Kerr has always been a major fan of Curry’s game. So, years before actually having the chance to coach him, Kerr was high on acquiring the Davidson product during the Draft night, back in 2009 when he was taken with the 7th overall pick.
When Kerr was still the Suns’ GM, he actually offered their own 1st round pick (14th) overall to go along with Amar’e Stoudemire, a 4-time All-Star and dominant power forward. Eventually, the deal fell off because of Stoudemire’s health, according to Kerr himself, but he was “very, very, close” of getting Steph.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (2012)
A couple of years later, the Golden State Warriors were craving an inside presence, so they set their eyes in the Bucks’ former 1st overall pick out of Australia, Andrew Bogut, who eventually played a major part on their first Championship run.
In order to get him, the Warriors actually offered Stephen Curry along with Ekpe Udoh, but the Bucks’ medical staff was very concerned about Curry’s ankles issues, so they asked for Monta Ellis instead. Should Curry get there, perhaps we would’ve never seen Giannis Antetokounmpo make it to the league.
1. New Orleans Hornets (2011)
That very same year, the Golden State Warriors were desperately trying to become a contending side, so they inquired about want-away All-Star Chris Paul, who had already outgrown the Hornets and was eventually going to be traded anyway.
In order to land CP3, the Warriors put together a great package featuring Ekpe Udoh, Curry, and his fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson, but Paul was reportedly unwilling to commit to signing a contract extension. Eventually, the Warriors didn’t want to lose Curry over a couple of months rental of CP3, so they offered Monta Ellis instead, an offer the Hornets rejected.
