April 28, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob smiles against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Golden State Warriors have had quite a hectic offseason to date, being in the running for Dwight Howard and signing Andre Iguodala.
The man behind all of this? Owner Joe Lacob, who spoke to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News on Thursday.
Lacob confirmed what had been well-reported, that the Warriors met with both Howard and Iguodala, but Howard decided to go another direction.
Had Howard decided to come to the Warriors, things would have gotten interesting because they would have to work a sign-and-trade deal with the Lakers, who would undoubtedly ask for one of Golden State’s young assets, like Klay Thompson or Harrison Barnes.
Lacob, however, says the intention was to never give up anyone.
“I want to make it clear to you, we were never going to part with our core,” he said. “That was our paramount. We worked really hard to get them, we drafted them, developed them, Mark Jackson has worked hard with them…Our goal was to keep our young core through all this.”
Perhaps he wouldn’t be saying that right now if Howard decided to play with the Warriors.
——-
Lacob also refuted any trade rumors surrounding All-Star power forward David Lee.
“He has never been offered in trades,” said Lacob, adamant. “Never. Not once was it discussed on our end to consider him for anybody.
“He’s an All-Star. You know I think he’s a terrific player–we think he’s a terrific player. He’s a great teammate, plays hurt, he’s a double-double machine.”
According to reports from last month, the Warriors had called the Trail Blazers and Raptors about shipping Lee for LaMarcus Aldridge or Andrea Bargnani.
But whatever you say, Mr. Lacob.
——-
Finally, Lacob recognized the importance of the fact that the Warriors were in the middle of the free agent frenzy, talking to nearly every big-name player on the market, which is something that this team has rarely done in recent years.
“I think it was a hard thing to imagine three years ago,” he said. “And it is rewarding that players like Andre now want to be with the Warriors. That is a big statement.
“The fact that we can even be in those conversations is important, and fact that we’ll be in those conversations forever more is important.”