Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had his shares of shining moments as an NBA player, none more crucial than a game-winner over the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals as a member of the Chicago Bulls. Many have wondered what would have happened if Kerr missed that shot and the series went on to Game 7.

Another what-if scenario? Apparently Kerr nearly became a member of the Warriors instead of the Bulls back in 1993, at least according to one person.

Longtime NBA journeyman Avery Johnson told this anecdote as a guest of KNBR's Tolbert, Krueger, & Brooks podcast, via Drew Shiller of NBC Sports:

“Pop (Gregg Popovich) was on the plane with Nellie (Don Nelson) during the preseason and Tim Hardaway got injured and blew out his knee. Pop called me and said, ‘Look, if I can convince Don Nelson on this flight to sign you instead of Steve Kerr, you're gonna have a job.' I was out of a job.

“And fortunately, I got a call at six o'clock in the morning and Pop — who was an assistant on that staff — said, ‘Pack your bags, you're coming to Golden State.'”

Someone is getting the details mixed up, since Johnson was signed in late October 1993 and Kerr had signed with the Bulls on Sept. 29 — almost a full month ahead.

The now-Warriors coach was as surprised as anyone to hear this anecdote:

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“I didn't know that,” Kerr said. “I've never heard the Avery story.”

I didn't take long before Tolbert prompted a “what if” regarding Kerr providing the same type of championship-caliber mettle to the Warriors back then:

Kerr: “Wait, wait, wait. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Did you just say if I had gone to the Warriors as a player — maybe they would have won championships?”

Tolbert: “I did. Maybe things work out differently. They had a pretty good team there. Look, I'm not saying you would have been the guy to win the championship. Let's not get crazy here.”

Kerr: “OK (laughter). Let's not get stupid (laughter).”

Kerr has always been fully cognizant of his abilities as a role player, and he clearly doesn't see himself as that influential for a dynasty like the '90s Bulls. Yet the shotmaking plays a big role in the playoffs, and the Warriors would have never said no to a league-leading 3-point marksman joining their team.