Don Nelson shut down Curry trade rumors right after the 2009 NBA Draft: "He can unpack his bags and relax"

Don Nelson shut down Curry trade rumors right after the 2009 NBA Draft: “He can unpack his bags and relax” originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Think about it: Stephen Curry in any NBA jersey, but not the Golden State Warriors one? Nearly impossible to picture now. But early on, serious doubts lingered that he would even get to wear their colors once.

Fortunately for Dubs Nation, that all changed because of one man: Don Nelson, an undisputed basketball legend and Naismith Hall of Famer.

Coach Nelson’s vision

In late June 2009, basketball’s brightest young talents gathered at Madison Square Garden in New York City, ready for the NBA Draft that would shape their futures.

Teams across the league had the chance to select from this group, and the Warriors held the seventh overall pick. It was a decision the franchise agonized over, but luckily, they had just the right man in their ranks to guide the process: head coach Nelson.

Not just any coach, “Nellie” had won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics and later became a top figure on the sidelines. His résumé speaks for itself: three-time COY and head coach of two NBA All-Star Games. Today, the Michigan native is widely regarded as one of the top 10 coaches in NBA history.

With an uncanny eye for talent, Nelson’s insight was crucial, and ultimately, the Dubs concluded that selecting Curry from Davidson was the way to go.

From today’s perspective, that pick seems like a no-brainer — a franchise-altering moment for a team with limited playoff success in recent decades. But back then, choosing a young “Chef Curry” wasn’t without its doubts.

Early doubts and crucial backing

Too small. Too weak. A defensive liability. And a classic tweener — stuck somewhere between a point guard and a shooting guard. Those were just some of the early knocks on Steph at the time. On top of that, his fit with the Warriors’ existing roster raised serious questions.

Golden State already had a ball-dominant guard in Monta Ellis, who had won Most Improved Player just a few seasons earlier. Adding another undersized player into the mix? Many thought it was a recipe for disaster.

But Nelson wasn’t one of them. The veteran coach dismissed those concerns just one day after Draft Night in 2009.

“[Ellis] should be happy that he’s got a sidekick that’s very good,” he said at the time, per ESPN. “I think he’s (Curry) going to be able to play right away. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t.”

Nelson also shut down the growing chatter that the Dubs would be better off trading Curry’s rights before he ever stepped on the hardwood for them.

“He (Curry) can unpack his bags and relax,” the now 85-year-old insisted. “He can buy a house. We drafted him because we think he’s a terrific player who fits right into our program. He ain’t going anyplace.”

Making the leap to the NBA is hard enough. Adjusting to the league’s speed, physicality, and politics is something no college — especially not a small program like Davidson — can truly prepare you for.

Now imagine going through that transition while critics tear you apart before you’ve even played a single minute. That was Steph’s reality. Fortunately for him, someone had his back.

For “Chef Curry,” who eventually led Golden State to four rings and became a two-time MVP, that someone was “Nellie.”

Without the backing of his former head coach, it’s easy to imagine a very different path for the 6’2″ sharpshooter — a trade or an even slower start to what would become a legendary NBA career.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.

Don Nelson shut down Curry trade rumors right after the 2009 NBA Draft: “He can unpack his bags and relax”

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