Rumors about Stephen Curry’s future with the Golden State Warriors have intensified in the later stages of the offseason, but a new report from The Athletic suggests that the four-time champion might stay in Golden State for the rest of his career.
Warriors insider Nick Friedell reported that while rival executives and fans think Curry could eventually request a trade, those inside the organization still think such a scenario is very tough to imagine.
“Now, a few months later, with little improvement to the roster, the league wonders whether Curry’s mindset will change. Speculation continues from both fans and the media that Curry may become so frustrated that he eventually asks out during the final year or two of his career. But that’s still hard to envision given that he has been so consistent in both his messaging about wanting to stay with the Warriors and in expressing his love for the Bay Area.”
“According to one team source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the organization’s internal discussions, it’s not like Curry isn’t aware of what Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy and the rest of the front office are trying to accomplish. The conversation between the star and the team has been ongoing – for years.”
According to an anonymous team source cited in the report, Curry reportedly remains closely involved in discussions with the front office, understands the difficulty of finding a balance between the present and the future, and understands the pressure facing the Warriors’ management.
That relationship will be important in the Warriors’ bid to maximize the final years of Stephen Curry’s championship window.
The Warriors still have not made a major move this offseason after finishing four games below .500 last season, which has left many around the league thinking that Stephen Curry could eventually want out.
The Boston Celtics have emerged as a hypothetical landing spot, with several trade rumors circulating in recent weeks, especially after Brad Stevens reportedly made an inquiry to the Warriors about Curry.
But for now, there is little evidence or indication that Curry wants to leave.
The Warriors are keen to offer him a two-year, $136 million extension, and Curry is reportedly keen to sign it. A trade request seems very unlikely for the franchise’s beloved superstar. But there are reports suggesting that he could also use those contract negotiations as leverage to push the Warriors into making moves. So, the pressure is still on the Warriors.
If the Warriors continue to struggle and fail to surround him with a championship-level roster, rumors about his future will not die.
The numbers certainly show that he is worth keeping around for a while. Last season, the 38-year-old averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals while shooting 46.8% from the field and 39.3% from three-point range.
But for now, Crain’s report indicates that nothing has changed internally. Despite growing outside rumors and hypothetical trade scenarios, Curry still seems to want to stay with the Warriors for life, and both sides are working toward the same goal—bringing another championship to the Golden State Warriors before one of the greatest careers in NBA history comes to an end.
