Stephen Curry’s future with the Golden State Warriors suddenly doesn’t feel as certain. The two-time MVP is entering the final season of his contract, set to earn $62.5 million in 2026-27, and averaged 26.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, and 1.1 SPG on 46.8% FG, 39.3% 3-PT FG, and 92.3% FT.
While both sides were initially expected to agree to a two-year, $136 million extension, negotiations have reportedly slowed as Curry evaluates whether Golden State can still build a legitimate championship contender around him.
Following the Warriors’ failed pursuits of LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, frustration appears to be growing. Golden State’s quiet offseason has left Curry with legitimate questions about the franchise’s direction, especially after reports came out as to why LeBron didn’t want to play with the Warriors.
The Warriors essentially struck out on every major target they had this offseason, and it seems they want to build for the future after failing to utilize their future assets for a legitimate superstar like Jaylen Brown.
According to reports, Curry could use his looming free agency as leverage, pushing the front office to make aggressive win-now moves instead of prioritizing a post-Curry rebuild:
“He wants to win. He wants the best team the Warriors can assemble around him. He wants a chance, a real chance, for a deep playoff run. The longer it takes for him to sign a contract extension, the more you can bet Curry’s using potential free agency as a tool to keep the Warriors pushing toward that end,” wrote The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson after his discussion with Stephen Curry.
If the Warriors refuse to push all their chips to the middle, the unthinkable suddenly becomes possible. Here are the five most logical destinations if Golden State eventually decides to move the greatest player in franchise history.
5. Charlotte Hornets
Proposed Trade Package
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors Receive: Grayson Allen, Grant Williams, Tidjane Salaun, Liam McNeeley, 2032 first-round pick, 2033 first-round pick, 2031 second-round pick, 2032 second-round pick, 2033 second-round pick
The Charlotte Hornets aren’t usually mentioned alongside Stephen Curry, but there’s one major reason they should be.
Curry grew up in Charlotte while his father, Dell Curry, became one of the most beloved players in franchise history. Ending his career where his NBA roots began would create one of basketball’s best stories.
More importantly, Charlotte needs a replacement for the departed LaMelo Ball while Brandon Miller has developed into the franchise cornerstone the Hornets hoped for. What about Kon Knueppel, who could be Curry’s new Splash Brother? We would love to see it.
Golden State shouldn’t even ask for Miller or Knueppel in negotiations. Instead, Charlotte could center a package around veteran salaries, multiple first-round picks, and young prospects outside its untouchable star.
Allen (16.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.8 APG on 34.9% 3-PT FG) and Williams (7.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG) are impact-now players who could be moved for assets or kept for remaining competitive now.
The real assets for the Warriors’ rebuild are the 20-year-old Salaun (6.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG) and 20-year-old McNeeley (4.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.8 APG on 40.0% 3-PT FG).
Meanwhile, for Curry, this would allow him to lead one of the NBA’s brightest young teams while remaining in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.
4. San Antonio Spurs
Proposed Trade Package
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors Receive: Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, 2032 first-round pick, 2033 first-round pick
If Curry wants one last realistic chance to win another championship, the San Antonio Spurs make enormous sense.
Victor Wembanyama is the best two-way player in the world, and pairing him with the greatest shooter in NBA history would create the scariest pick-and-roll duo ever. It would be almost ridiculous to imagine what Wemby (25.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.1 BPG) could do with Steph as his point guard.
The Spurs also possess the assets to make it happen. A deal centered around Dylan Harper (11.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG) along with two first-round picks and matching salary that includes Devin Vassell (13.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.5 APG on 38.4% 3-PT FG) and Keldon Johnson (13.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.4 APG) gives Golden State a legitimate rebuilding foundation without forcing San Antonio to sacrifice Wembanyama.
The Spurs have countlessly led the charge against Curry, and now it might be time for the Spurs to unite forces. Imagine what the Spurs could do with Wemby, Curry, and Stephon Castle on the same team.
The Spurs made the Finals last season, and they could easily be the favorites to do it again with this deal.
3. Boston Celtics
Proposed Trade Package
Boston Celtics Receive: Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors Receive: Paul George, Sam Hauser, 2028 first-round pick (that could convert from a first to a swap that is more favorable to Boston), 2031 first-round pick (Unprotected), 2028 second-round pick
The Boston Celtics immediately become an Eastern Conference favorite if Stephen Curry ever puts on green, even if Jaylen Brown is gone.
With Jayson Tatum remaining untouchable, the Celtics could build a compelling package around the exact package they received for Jaylen Brown and add the haul of picks. The 36-year-old George (17.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG) gives Golden State an elite two-way wing capable of helping bridge the next era while the draft compensation accelerates a rebuild.
On the court, Curry would fit seamlessly in Boston.
His movement shooting alongside Tatum would be devastating, while Boston’s core of Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Neemias Queta would allow Curry to focus almost entirely on what he does best: changing games offensively.
To make Celtics fans happy after that miserable Brown trade, perhaps acquiring the NBA’s greatest shooter could appease everybody a little more. Of course, this would need Curry specifically requesting a trade to Boston for the Warriors to grant this favor.
2. Miami Heat
Proposed Trade Package
Miami Heat Receive: Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, Davion Mitchell, 2028 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick
If Stephen Curry is serious about maximizing his championship chances, few destinations are more intriguing than the Miami Heat.
The Heat already stunned the NBA by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now imagine surrounding Giannis with the greatest shooter in basketball history.
It’s arguably the most complementary superstar pairing the league has ever seen. Curry’s limitless shooting would force defenses to extend well beyond the three-point line, creating acres of space for Giannis to attack the rim.
The biggest obstacle is Miami’s lack of premium trade assets. The Heat don’t have the draft capital or blue-chip young prospects that teams like San Antonio or Cleveland can offer, meaning they’d likely need to build a package around Andrew Wiggins (15.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.7 APG on 41.4% 3-PT FG), the 23-year-old Nikola Jovic (7.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 0.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG), and Davion Mitchell (9.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 6.5 APG on 39.5% 3-PT FG) along with picks.
Then again, superstars often influence where they want to play. If Curry decides Miami gives him the best opportunity to win another championship while playing under one of the NBA’s best coaches in Spoelstra alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, the Heat could find a way to make the impossible happen.
From a pure basketball standpoint, Curry and Giannis might be the most devastating offensive duo the NBA has ever seen, or at least since Shaq and Kobe.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Proposed Trade Package
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors Receive: Jarrett Allen, Jaylon Tyson, Max Strus, Dennis Schroder, 2031 first-round pick, 2032 first-round pick
If there’s one destination that feels almost too perfect, it’s Cleveland. The Cavaliers already have one of the NBA’s deepest rosters, and adding Stephen Curry would instantly transform them into one of the favorites to win the championship.
Pairing Curry with Donovan Mitchell would create arguably the league’s most explosive backcourt, while Evan Mobley provides the defensive backbone needed to compete for a title. If James Harden returns on a discount, he can play a pivotal role as well, and the offense would take an even greater boost.
Unlike some contenders, Cleveland has enough assets to make a serious offer. A package featuring their young talent, veterans, and multiple first-round picks gives Golden State a chance to begin its next chapter while allowing Curry a chance to thrive elsewhere.
Jarrett Allen would become the Warriors’ long-term answer at center (15.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG), Jaylon Tyson looks like a Warriors player (13.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.2 APG on 44.6% 3-PT FG), and both Max Strus (11.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.0 APG on 40.2% 3-PT FG) and Dennis Schroder (10.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.9 APG) can provide win-now minutes or can be moved for more assets.
For Curry, it’s the opportunity to do something almost unimaginable: win a championship away from Golden State while proving he can lead another franchise to the top of the NBA.
If his relationship with the Warriors continues to deteriorate, no destination makes more basketball sense than Cleveland.
