Richard Jefferson didn’t hold back his humor during the Lakers–Warriors preseason broadcast, cracking a joke that perfectly blended basketball insight and playful banter. While discussing roster spots and brotherly ties in the league, Jefferson turned to a topic that always entertains fans, the ‘family job security’ some NBA players enjoy.
“I think he has some job security. Him and Thanasis have some job security. I’m just gonna put it out there.”
The comment instantly got fans laughing, because everyone knew exactly who he meant: Seth Curry and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, two players whose famous brothers just happen to be among the greatest in NBA history.
Seth Curry, who recently signed with the Golden State Warriors, is once again sharing a locker room with his legendary brother Stephen Curry. The younger Curry joined the Warriors on a one-year, $3.63 million deal, marking a family reunion that’s been years in the making.
Last season, Seth played for the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 6.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists, while shooting an impressive 47.8% from the field and 45.6% from three-point range.
Though he’s carved out a reputation as one of the league’s most accurate shooters, it’s hard to ignore the comfort that comes with playing alongside a four-time champion brother who just happens to be the face of the franchise. Stephen Curry has spent 17 seasons with Golden State, heading into his 18th, and carries the kind of influence that few players in NBA history ever have.
That’s what Jefferson was getting at, Seth’s spot in the Bay is as secure as it gets. As long as Steph calls Chase Center home, his younger brother’s jersey might always be hanging nearby.
Meanwhile, Jefferson’s comparison to Thanasis Antetokounmpo hit just as hard and perhaps even truer. Thanasis re-signed with the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason after missing the entire 2024–25 campaign due to a torn Achilles.
Before that, in 2023–24, he averaged just 0.9 points per game in 4.6 minutes, appearing in 34 contests.
Statistically, Thanasis’s role has always been minimal. But his presence? That’s a different story.
His brother Giannis Antetokounmpo is the two-time MVP, Finals MVP, and face of the Bucks, a player Milwaukee simply can’t afford to lose. And while trade rumors around Giannis swirled throughout the summer, the Bucks made it clear they were intent on keeping him happy.
Part of that plan included ensuring that Thanasis, a beloved locker room figure and Giannis’s closest confidant, remained part of the team. The elder Antetokounmpo signed a one-year, $2.87 million deal, fully guaranteed, and is expected to return to full health this season.
Jefferson’s joke wasn’t meant to take shots. It was a wink to how loyalty and family sometimes intersect with business in the NBA. Seth and Thanasis aren’t merely “charity roster spots.”
Both bring value: Seth with his elite shooting, Thanasis with his energy and leadership. But there’s no denying that their superstar brothers have ensured their paths are a little smoother than most.
In today’s NBA, where roster spots are fiercely competitive and careers can change overnight, Jefferson’s comment cut right to the truth: it’s good to be a Curry or an Antetokounmpo.
After all, when your brother is Stephen Curry or Giannis Antetokounmpo, job security tends to come with the family name.
