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Steve Kerr Downplays LeBron James-Warriors Rumours

Warriors coach Steve Kerr says he never believed LeBron James would actually join Golden State, calling the transfer talk mere speculation.

Steve Kerr and LeBron James in USA team kit on the court

Steve Kerr has closed the book on the LeBron James rumours, saying the idea of him joining Golden State was never anything more than talk.

"I don't think it's some kind of sensational news, and I doubt I'll be fined for saying it: I never had the feeling that he was actually going to join us. To me it was more speculation than anything else. I think we'd have had a far better understanding of the situation if such a move had actually been possible."

Kerr also pointed to a mixed reaction among Golden State fans. Some, he said, had told him they were relieved the move fell through, since they regard James as a rival rather than a potential teammate. He likened the scenario to the idea of pairing Magic Johnson and Larry Bird on the same roster.

"As a coach who worked with LeBron on the national team at the Olympics, I would of course have been all for it. But I understand the fans' reaction — because of the emotional connection to the team and the existing rivalry, the very thought of it seemed strange to them."

Nothing in Kerr's account suggests talks ever reached a serious stage. On his telling, the closest this came to reality was speculation that never left the realm of what-ifs.

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