Stephen Curry is entering his 18th NBA season with the Golden State Warriors, but the circumstances around the franchise have made this offseason different from the ones that came before it. Golden State missed the playoffs last season after losing to the Phoenix Suns in the Play-In Tournament, leaving the franchise facing some difficult questions about its next move.
The Warriors explored major possibilities this summer. They made moves for Kristaps Porzingis and De’Anthony Melton, while also pursuing LeBron James before he ultimately joined the Philadelphia 76ers. Golden State also selected Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th pick in the draft.
David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Curry, now 38, remains at the center of the conversation surrounding the Warriors’ direction. He is entering the final season of his current deal, a one-year extension worth $62.6 million, and will become eligible for another extension on Aug. 29.
Amid contract talks, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy has made Curry’s position clear.
“There are two things I’m confident about Steph (Curry): He wants to win, and he wants to finish his career as a Warrior,” Dunleavy told the San Francisco Standard’s Danny Emerman.
Curry has consistently expressed his desire to remain a one-team player throughout his career, and Dunleavy said that has not changed this summer.
The Warriors are also making an effort to give Curry the roster he needs to compete. Dunleavy described the front office as “super aggressive,” revealing that he has made numerous calls to teams while offering significant packages for players.
“I feel pretty confident that if we have to improve the roster in the middle of the season, we can,” Dunleavy added, via ClutchPoints’ Kenzo Fukuda.
Curry has shown he is still capable of producing at an elite level after averaging 26.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds during a season plagued with injuries. While he appears content with remaining in Golden State, last season’s result revealed the team’s over reliance on the two-time league MVP and the need to build a championship caliber roster around him.
Curry has already given the Warriors a résumé few players in NBA history can match. He has won four championships, two MVP awards and a Finals MVP, while becoming the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers. He also owns franchise records across scoring, assists and made threes, and his 2015-16 season helped Golden State set the NBA record with 73 regular-season wins.
