Charles Barkley has taken plenty of shots at LeBron James and Kevin Durant over the years, and he was at it again recently. Barkley blamed James and Durant for the much-criticized apron rules being instituted, claiming that commissioner Adam Silver had to act to slow down the superteam trend they helped spark.

Barkley’s comments quickly caught Durant’s attention, and the Houston Rockets star shifted the blame to former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers in a post on X. “Ooh since we’re playing the blame game, I select Bob Myers as the fall guy,” Durant wrote.

Myers, of course, was the Warriors’ GM when they signed Durant in free agency in 2016, and he was the one who pushed for the move. Adding a player of Durant’s caliber to a team that already had Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green — and had just gone 73-9 — meant no one else in the league stood much of a chance.

Why the blame on LeBron James?

The answer is fairly straightforward. Before Durant’s move to the Warriors, there was James’ decision to join the Miami Heat. He teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form a Big 3, and together they won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.

Why were the apron rules introduced?

The apron rules were created in part with teams like the Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers in mind. Both franchises had owners willing to spend enormous sums in luxury tax to maximize their chances of winning.

The Warriors had the highest payroll in the NBA in three different seasons between 2020-21 and 2023-24. The only year they weren’t at the top was 2022-23, when the Clippers narrowly surpassed them.

Owners of teams in smaller markets simply couldn’t compete with that level of spending. With the apron rules in place, the NBA has tried to restore some competitive balance. Teams can still spend heavily, but crossing into the second apron now comes with significant challenges for roster construction.

Myers, who served as the Warriors’ general manager from 2012 to 2023 and as team president from 2016, offered his candid thoughts during an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. According to Myers, the limited “pathways” Harrison left himself post-trade are a major reason for the criticism surrounding the deal. “I think where you get stuck and where people have been critical,” Myers said,

“is not the fact that you traded Luka Doncic. By the way, people are critical of that by itself, but if you look at the return, that’s where people really get upset. A lot of the Mavs fans have a hard time with it, because if I’m going to trade away a player that good and in his prime—which, again, is very, very rare—I’m going to give myself an avenue to win now. I do think they have that with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis—there is an avenue. But what they didn’t do is give themselves an avenue via multiple first-round picks, things like that, for the future.”

Myers‘ point is a valid one. The Mavericks didn’t send Doncic away for a fringe player—Anthony Davis is a bona fide superstar with accolades, playoff pedigree, and a championship ring. He’s still in his prime. The real concern isn’t the player acquired, but the lack of long-term assets in return. The absence of additional first-round picks has been the biggest sticking point among critics, and it’s what could ultimately define this as a poorly constructed trade.

The full deal saw Dallas ship Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Lakers in exchange for Davis, young guard Max Christie, the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick, and $55,000 in cash.

Anthony Davis: high value, higher risk

Anthony Davis isn’t just a name—he’s a résumé. A champion, an eight-time All-Star, and one of the league’s elite two-way players when healthy. On paper, pairing Davis with Kyrie Irving gives the Mavericks a viable path to compete in the Western Conference. But Davis’ health has always been the asterisk, and the track record speaks for itself.

Since arriving in Los Angeles in 2019, Davis has only played more than 60 games in a season once. From foot injuries to back spasms and knee strains, availability has consistently been his Achilles’ heel. For Dallas, tying their post-Doncic hopes to Davis means balancing on a razor’s edge.

When Davis is healthy, he’s arguably a top-10 player in the NBA. When he’s not, the Mavericks’ margin for error disappears—especially with limited depth and a volatile secondary star in Irving. It’s the kind of high-risk move that only pays off if everything clicks—health, chemistry, and system. And that’s a big “if.”

No draft capital, no safety net

Myers’ most pointed criticism is about what Dallas didn’t get. In today’s NBA, trading a franchise cornerstone typically returns a haul of first-round picks to set up a rebuild or build out long-term flexibility. But the Mavericks walked away with just one future first—an unprotected 2029 pick—and a bit of cap filler.

Dallas traded a generational player in his prime—and didn’t set itself up for the future. That lack of foresight could haunt the franchise if Davis continues to struggle with injuries or if Irving exits in free agency down the line. Without draft capital, the Mavericks have no safety net.

Speaking on 95.7 The Game with Matt Steinmetz and Daryl Johnson, Myers opened up about the chaos NBA front offices face in the days leading up to the trade deadline. “It’s pretty rough, much more than maybe the public realizes,” Myers said. “This isn’t like you woke up two days before the deadline and decided to make a trade.”

He emphasized the exhausting process, noting that most discussions never materialize. “You’ll move forward, get to the 10-yard line with another team, and they’ll pull out because they got a better deal, or they’ll change the terms. Sometimes a player sprains his ankle or medical evaluations come back negatively, and the deal is off.”

A proven track record in trades

The Warriors’ last major trade came in 2020 when they sent point guard D’Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Andrew Wiggins and the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, which was used to select Jonathan Kuminga. That deal proved invaluable as both Wiggins and Kuminga played crucial roles in Golden State’s 2022 NBA championship run.

Trust and temperament in the trade room

Myers highlighted how the trade period reveals the true nature of those in the organization. “Every time you go through it, you learn something. You learn about your peers, who you can trust,” Myers explained. “Some in the group are more aggressive, some are more conservative. Ultimately, it’s Joe [Lacob]’s team. It’s his call, and I accepted that.”

He noted that ownership’s engagement has become more prominent given the rising value of NBA franchises. “If you guys bought a team, I’m sure you would have your say, as you should,” Myers said.

Staying aligned with Kerr

While Myers acknowledged the value of staying aligned with head coach Steve Kerr, he pointed out that managing public perception has become an increasingly significant aspect of trade decisions.

“So you’re balancing all these things. I was lucky with Steve; we had a good partnership. I knew where he stood,” Myers said. “But the truth is, there is a media component to it. What are the fans going to think? What would business operations think? That all matters.”

He admitted that public and social media reactions now carry more weight than ever. “More organizations discuss it now. Social media, fan reaction—it’s all part of the conversation.” Despite these challenges, Myers emphasized the importance of involving key stakeholders, including Stephen Curry, in major decisions. “You’d loop in Steph, and the key stakeholders, to try and get everyone on the same page.”

But the Dubs still lost a pivotal member of the organization in the summer. Bob Myers, the architect behind their success in the last decade, stepped down as general manager after 12 years to take a break from the role and spend more quality time with his family.

Mike Dunleavy has made an interesting job in his first months in the front office, but now he is dealing with a challenging situation as Thompson’s contract runs out in 2024. Extension talks don’t seem to be going in a good direction, and Myers explained this is one of the things he didn’t want to deal with anymore.

Warriors reportedly make no progress on Klay Thompson’s extension

NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports that there has been no progress in Thompson’s contract talks with the Warriors, which is why testing free agency in 2024 could be a real possibility for the 33-year-old.

Though the Warriors also seemed to face the risk of losing Green this offseason, Woj believes this is the first “real test” of keeping together their core. Myers listened carefully to Woj on ESPN’s NBA Countdown, and later shared his thoughts on this situation.

Bob Myers addresses Klay Thompson’s contract situation

“Well, this is why I left first of all,” Myers said with a laugh when asked by Malika Andrews what was the path forward for Thompson and the Warriors. “A lot of times people will say it’s just business, but this is not a just business situation.”

Myers went on to mention how important Thompson is for the team, mentioning that he will have a statue outside Chase Center one day and pointing out the fact that he contributed to multiple championships, which is why fans love him.

Thompson was drafted 11th overall by the Warriors in the 2011 NBA Draft, only a year before Myers was promoted to general manager. From then on, both were part of the greatest chapter in franchise history, which saw the Dubs win four NBA championships in eight years.

But it wasn’t all sunshine and roses for Klay, who spent more than two years on the sidelines due to injury. The team, however, has been there for him at his lowest, giving Thompson a five-year, $190m extension even after he suffered a torn ACL in 2019.

“It’s not so simple as money and years,” Myers said. “This is why it was hard for me, because you have relationships with these people – especially if you succeeded with them. That core has been together for 12 years and that’s just so rare now, it just doesn’t happen. So, this is a delicate negotiation. From what I know and see, he wants to stay. They want him to stay. Does it mean it will happen? But it is a test. It is certainly a test as Woj said and this is probably the first real test.”

The Warriors have always understood how important is Thompson for their organization, which is why they stuck to him through and thin. But next year he’ll be 34, so it remains to be seen how much they’re willing to offer to make him stay.

However, Bob Myers has been as impactful as the others behind closed doors. He’s been the architect behind the dynasty, and the one who managed to keep it all together for years.

That’s why it was such a bummer for the players and the fans to see him leave. And why he felt the need to explain why he was walking away after four NBA championships with the team.

Bob Myers Explains Why He Left The Golden State Warriors

“I have too many different emotions that I’m still processing,” Myers said. “But the bottom line is that this job the one I’m in, requires complete engagement and complete effort. If you can’t do it, then you shouldn’t do it and so that’s the answer.”

“I can’t do that to our players, I can’t do that to Joe,” continued Myers. “I really can’t do it to myself and that’s a question I’ve been wrestling with. I’ve only known how to do things one way my whole life and it doesn’t feel right to do something when I can’t give it my everything.”

“This wasn’t about money. I’ve made plenty of money. I got offered plenty of money,” Myers said. “The bottom line is this job requires complete engagement and complete effort, 1,000 percent. If you can’t do it, then you shouldn’t do it. That’s the answer to the question of why. I can’t do that to our players. I can’t do that to Joe [Lacob].”

It’s just a matter of time before Myers gets plenty of attention from rival teams, but it’s unclear if he’ll take some time off before jumping the gun and joining one of the Warriors’ rivals. Whatever the case, he, too, should have a statue outside of Chase Center.

Myers, who took over in the 2012-13 season, has been instrumental in the Dubs’ emergence as one of the strongest teams in the league. Since he arrived, the Warriors made it to the postseason on eight occasions, winning four NBA championships.

On top of that, he’s highly valued within the locker room. Both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green— who is also entering the final months of his contract— suggestedthey’d love Myers to stay in the Bay area.

Stephen Curry, Draymond Green campaign for Bob Myers’ renewal

“We were all young at one point when we were trying to figure it out,” Curry told NBC Sports Bay Area. “One of his special abilities is to connect with you where you are. Be truthful and honest and authentic about how difficult the NBA is in the sense of decisions that are made and the business side of it. But also, he has a personal touch that you trust.

“I don’t ever take that for granted,” Curry continued. “The fact that I can have a difficult conversation with him. I can pick up the phone and let him know how I’m feeling. He’ll give it to me straight around where we are as a team or where I am individually.”

Green echoed that sentiment, even though his future also looks uncertain. “Bob is huge for us,” Green said. “Some GMs put a team together and then they go into their office and watch to see if it works. You don’t see many GMs working daily, having conversations with guys, keeping a pulse of the team, and then having those tough conversations. General managers don’t do that in this league. Bob does. He’s incredible.”

Myers may not have been on the floor all these years, but his decisions have nevertheless been extremely impactful. Therefore, his departure would definitely be a big loss for the Dubs.

Some believe their title window is closing right before their eyes, especially with Draymond Green’s contract situation looming around. He’s not likely to get a contract extension, regardless of this season’s outcome.

But Green isn’t the only figure that could leave the team in the offseason. Several reports state that GM Bob Myers could also be nearing an exit, and that could lead to a catastrophe within the organization.

Warriors Might Lose Bob Myers This Offseason

“There is some concern that this could be the last dance,” said Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. “If Bob [Myers] were to leave, I know Steve [Kerr] would be devastated and Steph will be disappointed. Some pressure is on Joe [Lacob] to figure this out.”

It Could Be The Beginning Of The End

Myers has been the architect behind the Dubs’ dynasty. He has strong ties to nearly every major figure within the organization, so his departure could lead to other prominent pieces walking away as well:

“In addition to Curry, Steve Kerr’s and Draymond Green’s close relationship with Myers are well known,” reported The Athletic.“Green has a player option for next season and could opt to walk. Kerr’s current contract expires after next season. [Mike]Dunleavy is Myers’ right hand and was brought on to be his confidant. Several key figures in the organization have strong ties to Myers, which is why his departure has the potential to be the first domino in the transition to the next era.”

Even if this is the end, it’s been an incredible run for the Warriors. But owner Joe Lacob needs to try and do whatever it takes to keep one of the best GMs in the game around, as there will be multiple teams interested in making him a very lucrative offer.

The trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green did it again, extending the team’s legacy in American sports. However, the end could be over soon since Green has yet to sign a new deal with the Warriors.

While the veteran star still has enough left in the tank to deserve an extension, the team has to evaluate how to stay competitive while developing young talent. But Green wouldn’t be the only key member they might lose this offseason, since GM Bob Myers is also running out of contract.

Warriors might lose GM Bob Myers in the offseason

According to a story published on The Athletic by Anthony Slater, Marcus Thompson II, and Sam Amick, leaving the Warriors in the offseason could be a realistic possibility for Myers:

“As the clock ticks and extension talks remain flat, many around Bob Myers are wondering whether – and even predicting that – his days with the Warriors are about to run out. That outcome would present some critical questions: Why? What could be next? What kind of ripple effects would it have on the Warriors?”

The report claims Myers seeks a compensation that reflects his contribution to the team’s successes in recent years, therefore becoming the highest-paid or at least one of the most expensive general managers in the league.

While Warriors owner Joe Lacob said Myers is already among the three highest-paid executives, the report suggests Myers has actually five or seven GMs above him. It wouldn’t be strange if he asks for bigger bucks to stay, as other teams will probably be glad to meet his demands.

The Dubs slowly worked their way back to contention, building through the draft and landing future stars like Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and even Harrison Barnes. But that was just the beginning.

When asked about the pivotal move that kickstarted what we know today as ‘The Dynasty,’ General ManagerBob Myers thinksthe Andre Iguodala trade was what helped them finally get over the hump.

NBA News: Trading For Andre Iguodala Shaped The Warriors’ Dynasty, Claims Bob Myers

“When we traded for Andre Iguodala [in 2013], we had to give up some salary, and we traded two unprotected first round draft picks. That’s a big gamble. You don’t see that happen much anymore,” Myers told GQ.

“But we decided as an ownership group that this player and this opportunity is one where we have to assume the risk. That was a hugely pivotal moment to get a good player like Iguodala,” Myers continued. “I often talk about that moment as transformational. Up until that point, we hadn’t had any free agents want to come to our team. Andre was a pretty big free agent at the time. It was a statement that the Warriors are now at the table. It was worth the risk to do it.”

Truth be told, not many players would’ve embraced that role the way Andre did. And it allowed the Warriors to thrive with him coming off the bench, not to mention providing a much-needed elite defender that could also create his own offense.

The Warriors will forever go down as Stephen Curry’s team, and people will talk about the Splash Brothers all they want. But Iguodala will also have his jersey hanging on the rafters and a statue outside of CHASE Center.

Since the 2012-2013 NBA Season, the Golden State Warriors haveplayed in six NBA Finals,and reachedthe goldfour times. With one of the greatest “Big 3” of all time including Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Of course there are moreplayers that have impacted the Dubs as well as them, but these three players have been consistent through this period of time.

As this chapter might see its ending, the Golden State Warriors are in the middle of their rebuilding process with some huge new young talent mixed up with experience inclutchmoments. That could be reflected everytime Bob Myers, the Dubs’ general manager, has said something on the media or in a press conference.

Warriors News:GM Bob Myers reveals his biggest gamble as an executive

In a interview with GQ Magazine, Clay Skipperwent deep down with the 10-year Golden State Warriors’ GM with several topics.In between theytalked about the times Bob Myershas takenbig decisions that have impacteddirectly in the team’s performance as well as his thought process when he’s discussing deals with other teams.

“I ask myself, what’s the worst thing that can happen out of this decision? I always look at the downside of the decision, because the upside is obvious. It’s more, am I okay coming out with nothing? So if we trade a player, are we okay if that player becomes an All-Star? If we trade a draft pick, are we okay if that pick ends up being a top five pick? We have to understand those consequences before we do a deal.“he said to the reporter.

That’s when the name of Andre Iguodala came out. “When we traded for Andre Iguodala [in 2013], we had to give up some salary, and we traded two unprotected first round draft picks. That’s a big gamble. You don’t see that happen much anymore. But we decided as an ownership group that this player and this opportunity is one where we have to assume the risk. That was a hugely pivotal moment to get a good player like Iguodala.”Myers answered.

Since the 2014 season, the Warrios have never had this type of issues. Within the roster nobody had any problems, the bench was deep in terms of defense and offense, which led to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green to be rested enough to close out wins for the Dubs.

However, it seems like the Warriors’ front office led by Bob Myers have forgotten how to design and build up a championship-contender team. For example, there isn’t good enough bench players to make good rotation, and the ones that are supposed to carry the team in the second unit are not able to keep up with the game. However, Myers himself has addressed to all of this concerns.

Warriors News:GM Bob Myers gets real on the currentroster situation

In the 95.7 The Game Show hosted by Steiny and Guru, the Warriors GMBob Myers stated his plan for the young stars drafted in the last couple of NBA events has started to fall apart due to the unexperienced five-player lineup that Steve Kerr sends to the court. “You draft what you think is the best guy then the challenge is to find a way to make them fit and I think early on at least in this season we hace found that playing a lot of youth together wasn’t looking very good.”

The Warriors’ GM is talking about the situation with young talents such as Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and James Wiseman. In fact, the last No. 2 overall pick was sent out to the NBA G League’s team of the Warriors, the Santa Cruz for an undefined period of time, which means he clearly needs way more time than usual to be fit for the NBA level.

In fact, the last game rotation against the Los Angeles Clippers, Kerr sent out the young crew led by Draymond Green for the first time in a while. Which was mentioned earlier in the week. However, there’s another issue inside the Warriors, with Stephen Curry, who has been spotted by the TV unhappy when he sees how bad the team is performing.“If you guys were the GM and you had him, it’s almost like a cheat code and your responsibility is to not screw it up,” Myers said. “Do not screw his career up.”Myers said in the latest episode of “All the Smoke”.