How Bob Myers went from being Warriors’ architect to their doom

Bob Myers went from being the architect of the NBA’s modern day dynasty to its foil. 

As Warriors’ general manager from 2012-2023, Myers helped the franchise win four championships in eight years.

But this summer, he played a different role. He indirectly ripped the carpet out from under his former team. 

Myers, who is the president of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, the managing entity for the 76ers, helped orchestrate a trade for Jaylen Brown and land LeBron James in free agency. 

In other words, he secured two of the biggest players on the market this offseason who could have extended Steph Curry’s championship window. 

After spending over a decade ensuring Curry had the proper pieces around him to climb atop the league, Myers stole his safety ropes. 

It’s a testament to his skills. But for the Warriors, it’s an absolute gut punch. 

Myers helped transform the Warriors from laughing stock of the league into one of the greatest teams of all-time. 

He signed Steph Curry to a four-year, $44 million extension in 2012 when there were concerns about his ankle. 

Myers drafted defensive wizard Draymond Green as the No. 35 pick in 2012, which proved to be one of the best second-round steals in NBA history. 

He hired Steve Kerr as coach in 2014, and orchestrated a trade for Andre Iguodala, who won Finals MVP in 2015. And in 2016, he signed Kevin Durant, who won Finals MVP in 2017 and 2018. 

Myers may not have drafted Curry, but he played a major role in shoring up Golden State’s boat so he could become a four-time champion and two-time MVP. 

But after stepping down as Warriors president and general manager in May 2023, Myers took a hammer to that boat this offseason. 

Rumors surfaced that the Warriors were close to convincing James to join their team. 

Curry, who historically has stayed mum on free agency moves, was vocal about how much he wanted the 41-year-old megastar as a teammate. Green turned down his $27.7 million player option so the Warriors could entice James with more money. 

There was also the fact that LeBron himself had openly discussed how he had hoped to play alongside Curry, outside of the Olympics.

But Myers, who’s well known for his ability to gain players’ trust, showed why he’s one of the best in the business. 

He went onto Rich Paul’s podcast, “Game Over,” and told James’ agent why he believed one of the greatest players of all-time should join the 76ers. 

‘I honestly believe this is your best chance to win,” Myers said.

Considering the 76ers’ starting five now consists of LeBron, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid, it is not a hard argument to make.

Was Myers the reason why James decided to sign a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers? Obviously not. But is Myers the type of guy James wants in important meetings?

Yes.

Is he the type of guy James trusts to be part of the brains of an organization?

Yes. 

Myers has made notable mistakes. 

He squandered the Warriors’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft by selecting James Wiseman, who proved to be a bust. In doing so, he passed over LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, Deni Avdija and Maxey. 

He was also was Golden State’s failed “two-timelines plan.”

But overall, Myers helped put the Warriors on the map. 

Now he’s guiding one of their competitors, and it had major repercussions for Golden State. 

The Warriors are widely considered the biggest losers of the James sweepstakes. They stood pat this offseason, banking on the fact James would want to play alongside Curry and Green. 

While the Warriors crossed their fingers, Myers worked overtime. 

He helped the 76ers land the most stunning trade this offseason (Brown for Paul George), as well as the biggest free agency signing. 

It’s a shame for Curry, who turns 39 next season, and is pretty much going to be forced to run things back with the same roster, in addition to their No. 11 draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg.

Myers took over basketball operations for the 76ers on an interim basis after Daryl Morey was fired in May. He then led the front-office search for new President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey. 

What happened next?

The 76ers had the best offseason of any team in the NBA. 

They should be title contenders next season. Myers had his fingerprints on everything, from the landscape-shifting additions of Brown and James to smart moves around the margins, such as Anfernee Simons, Dean Wade and Ariel Hukporti. 

Meanwhile, Curry is going to have to play hero ball on his balky knee for the Warriors to make the playoffs. 

It’s ironic that this came at the hands of Myers, who helped put Curry in a position to soar for so long. 

In his new role, he did something different. 

He clipped Curry’s wings.