Quote · The Bill Simmons Podcast
Steph in Purgatory, a LeBron Mini-Mailbag, Jaylen Trade What-Ifs, and the Revived Red Sox With Joe House and Bill’s Dad
Where this was said
Losers of the LeBron signing
At 5:18 · chapter starts 3:02
Bill and House open with their unanimous pick: Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors are the biggest losers of LeBron's decision. [1] — Bill Simmons "Steph Curry is now the saddest older NBA superstar since Steve Nash on the 2011 Suns or Kevin Garnett before his Boston trade. Golden State…" 05:02 Bill calls it the saddest older-superstar situation since Nash on the 2011 Suns or Garnett before his Boston trade — pure purgatory for a player who still clearly has basketball left to give. The Warriors passed on trading for Jaylen Brown (which Bill believes would have sealed LeBron's destination) and Anthony Davis, and now sit at 27-to-1 to win the West. House calls the rational franchise move an obvious one: trade Steph Curry. Bill floats a San Antonio scenario with De'Aaron Fox and a mountain of picks that would pair Steph with Wemby. Miami comes next — publicly teased by LeBron's camp before being stood up, left with Bradley Beal and DeMar DeRozan and nothing left to move. Cleveland is named as the team left at the altar for a third time, hamstrung by the inability to trade James Harden. And Brad Stevens and the Celtics close the list: by trading Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, Boston essentially handed the Sixers both Brown and LeBron. [2] — Bill Simmons "Brad Stevens traded Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George and two firsts. That move attracted LeBron to Philly, creating a superteam…" 21:20 House wins his dinner bet — he'd predicted Philly weeks earlier and they're headed to Capo.
Steph Curry is now the saddest older NBA superstar since Steve Nash on the 2011 Suns or Kevin Garnett before his Boston trade. Golden State had chances to trade for Jaylen Brown and Anthony Davis and passed on both — and now LeBron is gone to Philly.
Golden State has the 7th-best odds to win the Western Conference at 27-to-1, reflecting how far the franchise has fallen without making a major move.
Bill Simmons floated a scenario where San Antonio — armed with Atlanta's pick, Boston swaps, Dallas or Minnesota swaps, Sacramento swaps, and more — offers De'Aaron Fox plus picks for Steph Curry. Two-time Olympic Steph joining Wemby would be the most compelling team in basketball.
Brad Stevens traded Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George and two firsts. That move attracted LeBron to Philly, creating a superteam that now threatens the Celtics. Boston essentially traded their archrivals a dynasty-starting piece.
LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for just $4 million per year, choosing the best championship opportunity over maximum money.
