The Boston Celtics made headlines this summer by trading their young star, Jaylen Brown, to the 76ers in exchange for Paul George and future draft picks. The move was seen as a downgrade by many fans, who now have the Celtics on the outside looking in on the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
But for Celtics President Brad Stevens, there’s still a quick way to get his team back in the ranks of the elite. According to a report by insider John Karalis, he’s set his sights on Stephen Curry himself as a potential blockbuster acquisition. Apparently, conversations have already been had on a deal that could rock the NBA landscape.
“There’s no doubt Brad Stevens has already been on the phone with the Warriors brass to pitch a deal [for Curry],” reported John Karalis. “Boston has a path to making a decent deal for both sides.”
The Celtics have always been proactive on the trade market, but this development shows a whole new level of ambition. By all accounts, Steph is a Warrior for life, and he’s shown no indication of wanting out after playing the last 17 years in Golden State. Similarly, the Warriors remain committed to Steph as they prepare to offer a maximum extension this August. Besides being a four-time champion, two-time MVP, and 12x All-Star, Curry remains one of the best guards in the league at 38, coming off the 2025-26 season with averages of 26.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 46.8% shooting and 39.3% shooting from three. That’s why, even now, the Warriors would prefer to keep Steph at any cost.
The problem is, the Warriors aren’t in a position to compete now or anytime soon (barring a major change). With Kevin Durant gone and Jimmy Butler still recovering from his ACL tear, the Warriors have had to rely far too much on their aging veterans to keep them afloat. The result is a gradual decline over the years, which culminated in a 10th-place finish in the West last season.
If either Steph or the Warriors lose faith, it could drive a wedge between the previously inseparable pair, and Brad Stevens is already seizing the opportunity. With Jaylen Brown gone, there’s a hole that needs to be filled, and Curry would more than suffice. Alongside Jayson Tatum, he could compete for one last championship in Boston, a city with a long history of greatness in the NBA.
As far as what it would take to pull off such a deal, that’s where things get really complicated. Since Curry is on the books for over $62 million annually, trading his contract would not be easy and would likely require a third team to reshuffle the assets in a way that works for everyone financially. At the very least, the Celtics would likely have to give up most of their remaining draft capital (have up to five first-round picks to trade), along with players like Payton Pritchard, Paul George, and Sam Hauser to make the money work.
For now, the scenario is still very much a long shot, and we can’t expect the Warriors to give up their star so easily. But if there’s any man who can convince them to make a deal, it’s Brad Stevens. As one of the smartest and most well-respected executives in the league, he doesn’t intend to let his team stew in mediocrity, and a trade for Steph would put them right back on the radar as a team to fear in the title pursuit.
