LeBron James Not Trusting Steph Curry Ruined Warriors Chances

San Francisco, California - April 9, 2026 - The friendship between LeBron James and Stephen Curry was intended to benefit the Golden State Warriors' chances of acquiring the NBA's all-time leading scorer. However, it appears that Curry may have inadvertently hindered the team's prospects. According to Warriors insider Marcus Thompson, shared on the Tom Tolbert Show, James didn't trust Curry's health following his history of missing numerous games over the past few seasons.

Thompson explained, "You’ve just got to look now and say, ‘I don’t even want Steph playing 70 games next season.’ If he’s playing 70, [I’m] as worried as he is. Yeah, he seems worried about it. I think that’s one of the reasons Bron didn’t come here because he’s like, ‘How many games am I going to have to play for y’all? Like, what happens if I need two weeks off?’"

James apparently sought a team where his potential time missed due to age-related concerns wouldn't jeopardize the season. The Philadelphia 76ers, with their array of All-Stars and young talent, offered an appealing alternative to the Warriors' roster, which lacked sufficient depth. Last season's Lakers, where James played, underscored the importance of roster resilience.

Curry's health issues ultimately proved detrimental to the team's aspirations, but the Warriors' failure to bolster their talent pool played a significant role. Their General Manager, Mike Dunleavy, faced criticism for their lackluster offseason signings, such as Brandon Williams and Georges Niang. Rumors suggested LeBron was holding out for teams like Golden State or the Cleveland Cavaliers to make significant moves before committing.

Instead, he chose Philadelphia, hoping their larger roster would secure another championship before his retirement. Anthony Davis was the Warriors' only realistic hope, yet the Washington Wizards showed no interest in trading him. The Wizards had made bold mid-season trades for Davis and Trae Young, aiming for a playoff push. Although Golden State showed interest in Trey Murphy, the Pelicans demanded an exorbitant price in future draft picks, making Murphy an impractical option.

As a result, Golden State found themselves with a roster hindered by the health of its aging stars, Curry and Butler.