Bob Myers, the architect behind the Golden State Warriors’ modern dynasty, stepped down as General Manager last season after 11 highly successful years. During his tenure, the Warriors won multiple championships and established themselves as one of the NBA’s premier franchises. Despite all his achievements, Myers recently shared the simple reason for his departure:
“I was done. I just couldn’t do it… I care too much to not give my best.”
Myers’ resignation left many puzzled, as he was one of the highest-paid executives in the league and had helped build the last dynasty the sport had seen. His decision was likely driven by a combination of factors, including a sense that his mission had been fulfilled and perhaps a desire to step away before difficult decisions threatened the legacy he helped create.
In retrospect, Myers’ timing appears strategic, as the Warriors failed to make the playoffs in their first season under new GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. The team’s once-dominant era has gradually faded, and while significant moves were made this summer, it’s clear the heyday of the dynasty Myers oversaw is now a distant memory.
Avoiding the Tough Decisions: Klay Thompson’s Extension Talks
One of the more personal factors contributing to Myers’ decision was the looming contract negotiations for Klay Thompson. Myers revealed that he didn’t want to be the one to make potentially painful choices regarding Thompson, one of the franchise’s core players who had brought so much success and loyalty to the team.
“This is why I left,” Myers explained. “People often say it’s just business, but this is different. Klay is going to have a statue outside Chase Center one day. He was instrumental in bringing four championships. He’s beloved by the organization and the fans.”
Myers emphasized the difficulty of making decisions about players with whom he had built long-standing relationships. After 12 years with the same core of players—Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green—the emotional weight of such choices became too heavy.
Thompson ended up parting ways with the team this summer, and Dunleavy Jr. has already started reshaping the Warriors’ identity. Unlike Myers, who built the team around internal development and shrewd acquisitions, Dunleavy seems more willing to aggressively pursue co-stars in the trade market to bolster the aging roster.
A New Era for the Warriors
The future of the Warriors is uncertain. With Stephen Curry, now 36, still at the heart of the team but without a reliable co-star, the franchise faces a challenging road ahead. They are banking on a combination of veteran leadership and the rise of younger players to remain competitive and make another playoff run.
For Myers, stepping away allowed him to preserve the legacy he helped create while avoiding the heartbreak of dismantling the team he so deeply cared about. His departure marks the end of an era, and the Warriors must now navigate the post-dynasty landscape without the man who built it.
