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The Golden State Warriors may not do enough to support Stephen Curry's quest for a fifth NBA championship. This is the view of prominent ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, who has hinted that head coach Steve Kerr might be why top-tier stars are hesitant to join Curry in the Bay Area.
As the Warriors prepare for the 2024-25 NBA season, they are projected to win just 43.5 games and potentially miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Smith, speaking on the August 30 episode of ESPN's “First Take,” criticized the franchise for not surrounding Curry with a stronger roster.
He mentioned the Warriors' failed attempts to acquire All-Stars Paul George and Lauri Markkanen during the 2024 offseason. The team's unwillingness to meet the asking price for these stars, Smith argued, has left Curry without the necessary support.
“Why couldn’t they get Paul George?” Smith questioned. “Why can’t they get another superstar to pair with Steph Curry? Especially after Kevin Durant’s departure? Maybe they didn’t feel the need because Klay Thompson is Klay Thompson, and I still believe in him.
And Draymond is Draymond, a future Hall of Famer”.
Steve Kerr Under Fire
Smith didn’t stop there. He continued to focus on the organization, specifically Steve Kerr. “I’m looking at the organization as a whole, specifically Steve Kerr, and I’m saying, ‘How come we can’t get this brother any additional help?’” Is Steve Kerr to blame for this? Smith certainly thinks it’s a possibility.
“We’re talking about a Steph Curry that still looks like he’s in his prime. Still the greatest shooter on the planet and still good for 25 points a game. Why the hell can’t you get him [help]? He’s one of the nicest guys on the planet.
Teammates love him. The organization loves him. The city has worshiped him”. Smith then questioned why other star players weren’t eager to join Curry and Draymond Green. He hinted that Kerr’s leadership might be a factor.
“You would think people would clamor to play alongside Curry and Draymond. I don’t know if that has been the case”. In response, ESPN's Brian Windhorst suggested that if the Warriors fail to secure superstar-level help for Curry before the 2025 trade deadline, he might consider requesting a trade.
Windhorst pointed to his contract extension, which keeps him in Golden State through the 2026-27 season, as a significant factor. However, Smith dismissed this theory and instead reiterated his criticism of the Warriors' front office for not doing more to assist him.
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