Steph Curry: Astonishing Warriors trade claim made by Bucks owner
STEPH CURRY was nearly traded by the Golden State Warriors to the Milwaukee Bucks, but fears over his ankle killed the deal.
Bucks owner Marc Lasry confirmed that the deal was nearly made in 2012, but Bucks medical staff pulled the plug.
Curry has since gone on to become arguably the greatest shooter in basketball history, winning three NBA titles.
The Bucks, however, are still searching for their first championship since 1971.
Speaking to The Athletic, Lasry revealed why the deal was killed at the last minute.
He claimed that the Warriors were willing to give up Curry, but ended up sending Monta Ellis instead.
The player in return, Andrew Bogut, left Golden State in 2016 having been an ever-present member of the team.
The star of that team in 2015-2016 was Curry, who earned the Most Valuable Player award.
And Lasry revealed that he was still angry about the deal falling through, which happened before he bought the franchise.
“I don’t know if they can be light years ahead if they traded Steph Curry to the Bucks for Andrew Bogut,” he said, referencing a comment made by Warriors owner Joe Jacob that the team was ‘light years ahead’ of the rest of the league.
“That was the deal.
“But the Bucks’ medical staff didn’t think Steph’s ankle would hold up.
“That killed the deal.
“So, I don’t know if that’s being light years.
“It’s luck. And that’s fine.
“I think we got rid of that medical staff when we bought the team.”
This year marks a good opportunity for the Bucks to recapture the NBA title.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently the runaway favourite for MVP, and the Bucks sit second in the NBA Eastern Conference, having played three games less than the leaders Toronto Raptors.