New Warriors Rumors Update LeBron James' Impact on Frank Vogel Joining Steve Kerr's Staff

When the Golden State Warriors hired Frank Vogel to join Steve Kerr's coaching staff over the weekend, it naturally came with suspicions that the move was made with the goal of enticing LeBron James to sign with the team.

Vogel and James won a title together with the Los Angeles Lakers, after all. But it sounds as though the decision was based purely on Vogel's coaching fit on Kerr's staff.

"I've been told it wasn't about luring LeBron, hiring Vogel. It was about his experience and his acumen," ESPN's Anthony Slater said on Monday's SportsCenter. "The Warriors this summer lost Terry Stotts, they lost Jerry Stackhouse, and they wanted somebody next to Kerr on the bench with head-coaching experience. Obviously Vogel has that, and also they needed somebody to lead the defense. And Vogel historically has been a great defensive coach, so they hired him. And maybe that helps a little bit in the LeBron pitch, but generally they just want Vogel next to Kerr."

Slater added that Warriors decision-makers "have not expressed much optimism" from the beginning of free agency that the team would land James, though they know they are "in on it." Those people within the organization believe a return to Cleveland is LeBron's "most likely destination."

Having Vogel can't hurt. And the possibility of pairing James and Stephen Curry—two longtime rivals and the iconic figures of their generation—remains a fun possibility. Just don't expect Vogel's hiring to be LeBron's deciding factor.