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Golden State Warriors Rumors: Dubs tried to trade Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson back in 2011

By Nathan Beighle

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Klay Thompson #11 after Thompson made the clinching basket with four second left of their game against the Houston Rockets in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Klay Thompson #11 after Thompson made the clinching basket with four second left of their game against the Houston Rockets in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors apparently tried to couple Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in a trade package back in 2011, Thompson’s rookie season.

While the Golden State Warriors have won three of the last five NBA titles, it hadn’t always been that way, especially in the late 2000s when the struggling Warriors were led by Monta Ellis and a group of underperforming role players.

There were a plethora of discouraging seasons leading up to their two lottery picks in 2009 and 2011, a pair of picks used on now-superstar players Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. However, their dominance on the Warriors almost wasn’t a thing.

Ethan Strauss wrote what would’ve been breaking news in his book entitled “The Vicory Machine: The Making and Unmaking of the Warriors Dynasty.” Here’s a segment from that book via NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dan Feldman who received a promotional copy of the book.

"“the Warriors attempted to trade Steph Curry and Klay Thompson for Chris Paul in 2011. It was far from the only time Curry was shopped, but in this instance, the deal was very close to completion. Myers made the offer and Hornets GM Dell Demps was receptive,” Strauss wrote."

Strauss noted the reason the deal was never truly finalized what because of Chris Paul.

Not wanting to play for a team that showed no signs of improvement in the Bay, Paul said he wouldn’t re-sign, much like the fiasco we recently saw this past offseason with superstar Lakers’ center Anthony Davis.

Prior to that 2011-2012 season, Paul averaged 15.9 points, 9.8 assists and a league-high 2.4 steals per game. He was in the midst of an All-Star that went on for nine seasons. Paul is still considered a top-tier point guard to this day.

That said, the Golden State Warriors sure are happy they didn’t make that trade. Trading arguably the best point guard of all-time, Curry has blossomed into a two-time MVP, having been the league’s only unanimous MVP.

As for Thompson, he’s one of the best shooters of all time. Having made over three triples per game for five straight seasons and shooting over 40% from deep in all nine, Thompson has developed into one of the league’s best two-way guards.

Next. Top 25 Golden State Warriors in franchise history. dark

Not only would Golden State have missed out on those two, but they likely wouldn’t have won any of their titles. Let’s just say they better be happy Paul wasn’t wanting to live in the Bay area.

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