Ex-Warriors GM: Ainge asked Warriors to trade curry.
During a recent interview on The Woj Pod, former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers shared an interesting revelation about the persistent interest of then-Boston Celtics president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge, in attempting to trade for star point guard Stephen Curry. Myers, who oversaw the Warriors’ front office from 2012 to 2023, was part of the team’s success in securing four championships.
While Myers wasn’t involved in drafting Curry in 2009, he played a crucial role in building around the nine-time All-Star. Curry, known for his game-changing ability to make deep 3-pointers at an impressive rate of 42.6 percent, was a key factor in the Warriors’ success.
Myers disclosed that Ainge was consistently inquiring about the possibility of trading for Curry, particularly after the point guard won his first MVP and championship in the 2014-15 season. Despite Ainge’s interest, Myers expressed understanding, acknowledging that it was a general manager’s job to explore potential trades, and he appreciated Ainge’s proactive approach.
Heading into the 2015-16 season, the Celtics already had Isaiah Thomas as their starting point guard. Ainge’s attempt to acquire Curry, had it been successful, might have altered the course of the team’s history, potentially preventing the emergence of Thomas as the “King of the Fourth Quarter.”
Myers revealed that Ainge had recommended him for the Warriors’ job, emphasizing the positive relationship they shared. While the idea of Ainge trying to trade for Curry was amusing, both acknowledged the impracticality of such a move, leading to laughter between them.
Ultimately, the Celtics did not manage to execute a blockbuster trade for Curry, but they acquired center David Lee in exchange for Chris Babb, Gerald Wallace, and a TPE. In hindsight, Ainge’s unsuccessful pursuit of Curry may have turned out to be a blessing, as the Celtics later used their draft picks to select Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in subsequent drafts.
