The Golden State Warriors will enter the 2026-27 NBA season without LeBron James, and Steph Curry says that's simply the reality of NBA free agency.
After weeks of speculation linking James to several contenders, the four-time NBA champion ultimately signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Golden State had been viewed as one of the strongest contenders for his signature earlier in the offseason, with reports suggesting Curry was among those hoping to bring the veteran superstar to the Bay Area.
Speaking with The Athletic, Curry admitted he never let himself believe the move was certain.
“That’s why you don’t envision anything until it happens,” Curry said. “There’s a lot of moving parts.”
As free agency unfolded, Philadelphia gradually emerged as the favorite to land James, ending any realistic chance of the Warriors pulling off one of the biggest signings of the summer.
With James now off the market, Golden State's focus shifts back to navigating a challenging season that could begin without key contributors Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, both of whom are expected to miss significant time due to injury.
Curry acknowledged that those absences have dramatically changed the team's outlook.
“The through line, which is hard on anybody in this situation, especially with us keeping this thing together, is knowing that when Jimmy got hurt and Moses got hurt, the whole calculus of everything changes,” Curry explained. “How do you get through their absence and still stay at a certain level? And then how that goes into this year. It’s the same deal. So I’m a realist on that.”
Rather than dwelling on what could have been, Curry emphasized the importance of focusing on the roster the Warriors actually have.
“You hope that they both come back healthy and we can play at a level that keeps us relevant and competitive and builds a foundation so that we can figure out what it looks like. But that is the situation. We don’t live in any alternative universe.”
The Warriors still have multiple roster spots to fill before training camp opens later this fall, leaving the front office with several opportunities to strengthen the team ahead of the new season.