The Warriors face a difficult task after Steph Curry made his decision clear: he is staying with the team. The challenge now rests on how well the organization can respond to that commitment.
Curry spoke before a gathering at Oakland’s Madison Park Primary on Wednesday and declined to respond to queries about his contract. He chose instead to offer career guidance to young athletes, which gave the entire exchange an oddly humorous tone.
“I try to never be the best person on the court,” Curry smiled, finishing his answer. “If that’s the case, then I’m not getting challenged.”
As the Warriors tip off camp in Hawaii next week, Curry will be the clear top player on the floor. Entering his 18th season in the NBA at 38 years old, he faces a roster that has not changed for him.
Curry’s Contract Position
In late August, Curry became eligible to sign a maximum two-year, $136.7 million contract extension with Golden State. The deadline for him to agree to it is June 30, 2027.
If he hits unrestricted free agency, he could sign a maximum three-year deal worth up to $207 million. That would take him through an age-42 season, and Curry told reporters Wednesday he doesn’t have “that many at-bats” left in the NBA.
Curry said “I just want to make sure I’m doing right by me,” “and by the team.”.
The details of his extension talks were kept vague, but the message underneath was clear: he wants to weigh his own career and financial interests against what is best for the team’s chances of winning games.
The Hard Numbers Around Him
There isn’t much room to maneuver for the Warriors when it comes to payroll. They have just $123.8 million left open on the salary cap, with the main players who matter sitting at:
- Draymond Green, 36 years old
- Al Horford, 40 years old
- Kristaps Porzingis, 31 years old
- Jimmy Butler, presently unavailable
- Moses Moody, presently unavailable
There is not much room left to bring in additional players alongside Curry. Even taking the full maximum would allow Golden State to surround him with only a limited amount. Asking for less money could show trust in the organization to manage Butler’s and Green’s expiring contracts and next year’s free-agent market.
“It’s not really an obvious type of, ‘Let’s just do this, and keep it moving,’ type situation,” Curry said.
What Curry Actually Said
When asked about his plans, Curry did not give a clear answer. Instead, he said Wednesday that he had been “pretty straightforward and honest” about staying put in the Bay Area.
“But it’s not a distraction for me at all, and hopefully not the team, either. So, getting ready for Monday.”
In a conversation the day before, he said he shared his nerves with Green. He told reporters about that exchange, and it appears the contract is not a source of anxiety for him.
The Irony of His Advice
The suggestion Curry gave young players — always look for opponents who surpass your abilities — sat strangely given his standing as the clear top performer on the Warriors. His guidance urged students to chase rivals who had the edge over them, while he himself prepares to meet teams that cannot match his level.
There’s a real issue with the Warriors right now. Curry wants to remain with the team, yet the players surrounding him aren’t moving forward, and the money owed to them makes it difficult to make changes.
The Warriors are currently waiting for Curry’s contract situation to resolve itself. The outcome is expected to come soon enough, but until it does, there is nothing left to do but wait.
Source material: “Steph Curry says he's staying. Now comes the hard part for the Warriors,” Yahoo Sports.
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