Former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers is nearing a deal with ESPN to provide coverage on “NBA Countdown” as an analyst, a source familiar with the deal confirmed to The Athletic. The New York Post first reported the news. Here’s what you need to know:
- Myers announced in May that he was stepping away from the Warriors’ franchise. His tenure included building the core of Golden State’s roster that won four NBA championships since 2015.
- Myers was hired by the Warriors in 2011 as an assistant general manager and promoted to general manager in 2012.
- He was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year twice (2015, 2017), winning championships in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022 with Golden State.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What would Myers bring to an NBA analyst role?
As a former NBA agent who also spent more than a decade as an NBA GM, the potential for Myers to be a value add is there. A well-known negotiator, who has relationships with some of the biggest names in the game, Myers — especially so soon removed from his post — could offer some current insights and analysis. He’s a basketball junky who constructed teams that changed how basketball is played. Any of the behind-the-scenes, modern-basketball-thought stuff would be a big addition to the show.
Myers knows the ins and outs of one of the league’s most popular franchises. That alone is enough gold to make him a boon to the show.
But Myers is incredibly well-polished and a master at avoiding hard stances and controversial takes. He also has so many relationships in the league. And he still might want to land somewhere on another franchise down the line. So the big question is how much will he tap into what he knows. What will he be willing to reveal? Or will be a master dancer making sure not to offend and not to disclose too much? — Thompson
Backstory
Myers was responsible for hiring current Golden State coach Steve Kerr and acquiring two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant. He also drafted 2017 Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green, and brought on 2015 Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins and NBA champion Kevon Looney.
Along with his general manager duties, Myers was given the title of president of basketball operations in 2016.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob stated publicly and privately his hope to retain Myers as the face of the Warriors’ front office and offered him a new deal. As The Athletic previously reported, Mike Dunleavy Jr. has been tabbed as Myers’ natural successor with Golden State.
Required reading
(Photo: Garrett Ellwood / NBAE via Getty Images)
