Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob faces criticism for influencing draft decisions and team strategy in ways that may undermine Stephen Curry's remaining prime years. Fans and former players argue that Lacob's desire for a post-Curry sequel is wasting the superstar's championship potential. The opinion piece highlights specific draft choices and past contract considerations as evidence of Lacob's ego-driven approach.
The Golden State Warriors' recent struggles have amplified fan frustrations with owner Joe Lacob's hands-on role in basketball operations. According to a CBS Sports analysis, Lacob views himself as the architect of the franchise's dynasty and is eager to craft a successful sequel after Curry's era. This mindset, critics say, has led to decisions that prioritize long-term planning over immediate contention around the 36-year-old star.
Key grievances include the team's botched development of young players, leniency toward Draymond Green's behavior, Steve Kerr's tactical shifts, the flawed two-timeline strategy, and reluctance to trade draft assets. The core issue is that these choices are seen as squandering Curry's elite performance, with the Warriors opting to let him "die on the superstar vine" rather than building a top roster.
Specific examples trace back to draft interference. In 2020, Lacob pushed for selecting James Wiseman at No. 2 after a workout, forgoing a trade for an established player or alternatives like LaMelo Ball or Tyrese Haliburton. The next year, he favored Jonathan Kuminga over Trey Murphy III, despite staff preferences, and later Moses Moody at No. 14 when stars like Alperen Sengun and Jalen Johnson were available. Earlier, in 2018, the team picked Jacob Evans five spots before Jalen Brunson.
Former Warrior Andre Iguodala has voiced concerns, stating, "I'm going to go out on a limb and say that 80% of [everything the Warriors have achieved] is [because of] Steph Curry. I know Joe doesn't like when I say it that way, but it's the truth." Iguodala added, "[Owners] really do be thinking it's them [responsible for the championships] and not us [the players]. Joe, too... They think they're going to build another [championship team] right after us… We gotta wait six years to come be like I told you."
Even Curry's 2017 contract extension revealed tensions; Lacob considered a below-max offer, but GM Bob Myers intervened to reassure Curry of the team's commitment. Despite four titles, including 2022's, the piece argues Lacob's ego—likened to Jerry Krause's with the Bulls—has delayed corrections on misses like Wiseman and Kuminga, prolonging a saga that hurts Curry's legacy.
Curry himself advocates leaving the franchise competitively sound, but the analysis contends priorities are backward: focus on Curry, the driver of the $10 billion valuation and championships.