Draymond Green, a close friend of LeBron James, suggested that the intense public scrutiny and the potential backlash were key factors in James' decision not to sign with the Golden State Warriors. Green stated on his podcast that James was concerned about how a move to join Stephen Curry and the Warriors would be perceived.
"I ultimately don’t think Bron was ever able to get over the history and I understand it, I get it," Green said. "What we all ultimately always knew is that’s the hurdle to get over."
Green elaborated, suggesting that James feared criticism for joining a team that was a rival during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers. "And so, he’s gonna get crushed if he comes to the Warriors, ‘Ah man you went to team up with Steph, ah man you had to go to them.’ And ultimately I think that weighed in on the decision a lot, that played a big role in the Warriors not landing LeBron."
James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, ultimately signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. This move surprised many, as the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers were also considered potential suitors, given James' history with both franchises where he won three of his four NBA championships.
The rivalry between James' Cavaliers and the Warriors was a prominent feature of the NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018. These matchups, particularly the 2016 championship series where Cleveland overcame a 3-1 deficit, are considered some of the most memorable in league history. Green's remarks indicate that this intense historical context influenced James' free agency choice.
Despite the potential appeal of James and Curry playing together, a pairing that was witnessed during the 2024 Paris Olympics, Green suggested that James prioritized avoiding further public criticism in the later stages of his career. Philadelphia was seen as an option that allowed James to pursue a final championship with less perceived controversy.