Bob Myers is stepping down from his role as the president and general manager of the Golden State Warriors.
Myers joined the Warriors front office in 2011 and the 48-year-old - who grew up in the Bay Area as a fan of the team - is referred to as the architect behind the Warriors dynasty, which spanned four championships and six NBA Finals appearances between 2015 and 2022. Myers was named NBA Executive of the Year in both 2015 and 2017.
Myers developed strong working relationships with the pillars of the Warriors dynasty, namely Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and head coach Steve Kerr. He reportedly informed them of the news in recent days after Golden State were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers.
With his contract set to expire in June, Myers rejected several offers for a new deal that would've paid him among the league's top earning executives and he described the decision-making process as beyond money. After leaving the franchise after 12 years, he told ESPN: “It’s just time.”
Should he decide to continue working in basketball and the NBA, Myers - a former UCLA forward - will likely become the one of the most pursued executives in modern North American professional sports history. His impressive resume and combination of leadership, talent evaluation and respect commanded means he is an attractive proposition for teams.
Myers oversaw the Warriors' pursuit of Kevin Durant, who arrived as a free agent in 2016 and was key to two titles with Golden State - winning Finals MVP both times - before tearing his Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals. He also holds a strong relationship with superstar Curry.
Myers was hired as an assistant general manager in 2011 before he was promoted to GM in 2012. He has overseen the drafts, trades and signings that helped forge one of the league's modern dynasties and greatest teams.
His departure leaves the Warriors dynasty at an intriguing crossroads. The franchise already face a payroll and luxury tax approaching an unprecedented $500million in 2023/24 - and that’s without assessing the futures of key players like Green and Thompson.
Green has a player option on his contract for next season while Thompson is entering the final year of his deal. Both players are hopeful for lucrative extensions to remain with the Warriors, although this could be easier said than done.
With Myers set to leave his post, Warriors owner Joe Lacob is expected to deal with the blow by moving his son Kirk, an executive VP of Basketball Operations, into a more prominent role along with VP of Basketball Operations Mike Dunleavy Jr.
