Steve Kerr lays out a stark reality regarding LeBron James: "No one around the Bay wanted him to sign with the Warriors"

The Golden State Warriors entered the offseason as one of the teams linked with LeBron James , creating the tantalizing possibility of the NBA legend joining forces with Stephen Curry.

That scenario ultimately never materialized, as James chose the Philadelphia 76ers after considering several potential destinations.

James ' arrival in the Bay Area never seemed particularly close to becoming reality for Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. ​ Speaking on the Tom Tolbert Show, Kerr acknowledged that Golden State's connection to James was driven more by speculation than concrete indications that a deal was imminent.

While many basketball fans would've been fascinated by the prospect of Curry and James sharing a Warriors uniform, some supporters apparently weren't disappointed when the opportunity disappeared.

The coach said people around the Bay have approached him and told him they were actually glad Golden State didn't acquire James .

"It's been really interesting, hearing fans around the Bay, people randomly will come up to me and say, 'I'm glad we didn't get LeBron,” said Kerr .

“I'm like, 'Really?' And they're like, 'Yeah. He's not supposed to be on our team, he's a rival.'"

That history is significant. James faced Golden State in four consecutive NBA Finals while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2015 through 2018. The rivalry produced some of the most memorable moments of the era, including Cleveland's historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 Finals.

That history apparently made James feel like an opponent who some Warriors fans felt shouldn't suddenly become one of their own.

Kerr would've welcomed the opportunity

Kerr sees the situation differently from many of those fans. His experience coaching James with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics gave him a firsthand look at what the superstar could bring to a team.

From a coaching perspective, Kerr said he'd have been eager to work with James again. He compared the unusual possibility to the idea of legendary rivals Magic Johnson and Larry Bird eventually becoming teammates.

“Just as a coach, and having coached him (LeBron) in the Olympics -- sign me up,” added Kerr .

Putting James alongside Stephen Curry would've been one of the league's most compelling combinations. Yet rivalries often carry an emotional weight that statistics and championship aspirations can't completely erase.

James ultimately chose Philadelphia, leaving Golden State without the blockbuster addition that had fueled plenty of offseason discussion. Kerr's remarks suggest the Warriors themselves never viewed the possibility as particularly close, despite the attention surrounding James and the franchise.

The Warriors also may not get another opportunity. James is 41 years old and is preparing for his 24th NBA season. Although he hasn't announced a firm retirement date, the latter stages of his career are clearly approaching.

The missed opportunity is less about disappointment and more about curiosity for Kerr , as having already coached James internationally, he would've welcomed the chance to see what the veteran superstar could accomplish alongside Curry .

Instead, Golden State will have to move forward without James .