The Warriors chased LeBron James for nearly a month, but he is headed to Philadelphia instead.
The LeBron James sweepstakes ended Friday morning, and the Golden State Warriors were not the winner.
James announced he is signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, a contract that includes a player option and sends the game's all-time leading scorer to his fourth franchise in 24 seasons.
Golden State spent weeks positioning itself as one of the most serious suitors for the 41-year-old, keeping a roster spot open and clearing money in hopes of landing him, only to watch the biggest prize of the summer pick the Eastern Conference while the Warriors were left to sort out a backup plan on the fly.
How the Warriors Lost the Race
Golden State's pursuit was real and public.
Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option to give the front office flexibility, a move that surprised executives around the league, and Stephen Curry openly recruited James on national television with a pitch built on winning, weather, and golf.
Curry also stayed in contact with James throughout free agency while most teams worked through his agent.
None of it was enough once Philadelphia traded for Jaylen Brown in early July.
That deal turned the 76ers into a legitimate contender, and James, who averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds last season, decided a lineup with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Brown gave him the best chance at a fifth ring.
Philadelphia went 45-37 a year ago and stunned Boston in the first round, so the biggest signing of the offseason simply added fuel to a team already trending up.
Why This Miss Hurts
The whiff lands on a franchise coming off a rough season.
The Warriors finished 37-45 and missed the playoffs, with Jimmy Butler tearing his ACL in January and Curry limited to 43 games by injuries of his own.
Curry still averaged 26.6 points per game at age 37, which is exactly why James felt like such a clean fix, a second creator who could carry the offense whenever Curry sat and lift a roster that was too thin all year.
Where Golden State Goes From Here
The front office has not been sitting still.
Golden State already brought back Steve Kerr and re-signed Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and De'Anthony Melton, while rookie Yaxel Lendeborg won Summer League MVP and led the Warriors to the Las Vegas title.
The next order of business is Draymond Green, who still needs a new contract after declining his option.
From there, the money that was earmarked for James can go elsewhere, and DeMar DeRozan, recently waived by Sacramento, has been floated as the most likely pivot.
A trade for Anthony Davis was explored as well, though Washington has shown no interest in moving him.
None of those paths replaces LeBron James, but with Curry entering his age-38 season and Butler's health uncertain, the Warriors cannot afford to wait around feeling sorry for themselves.
