NBA fans have witnessed one of the most notable careers of the past 15 years, with Stephen Curry’s stunning rise.
Drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2009, Stephen Curry blossomed into one of the era’s defining NBA stars.
A four-time NBA champion, Curry is the cornerstone of the team’s dynasty, reaching six finals and working hard to win again in 2025 at the age of 37.
However, the 11x All-Star took a little time to bloom as the player who led the Warriors to their first title in 2015.
And for horrifyingly Warriors fans, the franchise is claimed to have almost traded superstars of a generation.
One of the big moves made by the Golden State Warriors in the early 2010s was to trade aboard franchise star Monta Ellis.
This 2012 move allowed the Warriors to acquire Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson, sending the team and Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks seven years later.
Talking to the Strauss Podcast’s house, Bogut claims that the Warriors gave the Milwaukee Bucks the option of Monta Ellis or young Stephen Curry.
He insisted:
“You’re looking at hindsight. The Warriors have moved this genius, freeing Steph Curry and the entire story that followed. It could have easily gone the other way around. It’s a non-slip door moment. They denies it, but I know it.”
Former Warriors CEO Rick Weltz recently sparked ridiculous laughs by comparing the magnitude of the move to the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Donsic trade.
If Bucks chose to take curry instead of Ellis, it would have been a real fit.
Speaking about his podcast, Bill Simmons tracked Bogut’s claims by claiming that this rarely discussed rumour was true as long as he was confirmed.
Simmons said: “It’s once again a story about Milwaukee’s recent choice between Ellis and Curry in that deal, and what I’m talking about what everyone knew.”
Zach Lowe replied: “It has been whispering for a long time. Can we really confirm it?
Simmons retorted that no one in the Warriors organization expects to acknowledge it.
“I’ve always heard they gave them a choice. I don’t think (Joe) Lacob would admit it.
“I think there was this real feeling that curry ankles would always be a problem.
After playing 80 games in his debut season and 74 games the following year, the injury meant that Stephen Curry played in just 26 games in 2011-12.
This was enough for the Bucks to be hesitant, missing out on the talent of a generation, a year before the Warriors considered their options and drafted Giannis Antetocomo.
He recovered to play 72 games in 2012-13, earning his career-leading 22.9 points per game.
If he goes to Milwaukee, there is no guarantee that his success is not only partly talented, but he will benefit from the fit with his teammates and coaches.
In some way, this deal would have changed NBA history, and the Warriors can be thankful that they were chosen by Monta Ellis to go to Milwaukee instead.