Report: Warriors nearly dealt Curry, Thompson for CP3 in 2011

The Golden State Warriors dynasty likely wouldn't have come into existence had a proposed blockbuster trade gone through.

Golden State nearly acquired All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) in exchange for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in 2011, according to The Athletic's Ethan Strauss.

"(Warriors GM Bob) Myers made the offer and Hornets GM Dell Demps was receptive," Strauss writes in his book, "The Victory Machine," as transcribed by Dan Feldman of NBC Sports. "The catch was Chris Paul, who wanted out of New Orleans but had no intention of playing for the woebegone Warriors. Paul told the Warriors they could do this trade, but he wouldn't be staying when his contract was up at season's end."

Paul was instead traded to the Los Angeles Clippers ahead of the 2011-12 campaign. He'd remain there for six seasons, forming a formidable core alongside fellow All-Star Blake Griffin and high-flying center DeAndre Jordan.

At the time this deal was proposed, Curry hadn't yet developed into an MVP-caliber player, while Thompson hadn't even played a single minute of NBA basketball after being drafted 11th overall. Both players would go on to serve as foundational pieces during the Warriors' run of three championships in five years.