Who doesn't love an intriguing "What if?" scenario? Could you imagine how many titles the Los Angeles Lakers would have if Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal stayed together? How the Detroit Pistons would've turned out if they took Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh instead of Darko Milicic? Or, where the Phoenix Suns would be today, if they completed a deal with the Golden State Warriors for Stephen Curry at the 2009 NBA Draft?
According to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, then Suns general manager (and current Warriors head coach) Steve Kerr had a trade in place for Golden State's No. 7 pick and players in exchange for Amar'e Stoudemire.
The Suns' scouts believed Curry had the potential to be like Steve Nash, but they didn't think he would fall to No. 7. Instead, Phoenix was more focused on moving up to grab Jordan Hill out of Arizona. However, when the Minnesota Timberwolves took point guards, Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn, with the No. 5 and 6 picks, respectively, the Warriors backed out of the deal and selected Curry. The Suns ended up with Louisville forward Earl Clark.
If the Suns were focused on taking a point guard in the draft, they also could've had Jrue Holiday, Ty Lawson, Jeff Teague or Darren Collison. But hey, hindsight is 20/20.
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[via The Arizona Republic]
