How Steph Curry gave Warriors edge without any contract drama

If you know Steph Curry, you know his priority is finding joy. 

He doesn’t like drama. He’s not interested in distractions. He’s single-mindedly focused on feeling the thrill of his jaw-dropping shots swish through the net over outstretched hands. 

That’s why it makes sense that he ended the chatter around him before Warriors’ media day on Monday, agreeing to sign a two-year, $116 million contract extension. 

Steph Curry signed a contract extension Friday night. Getty Images

Curry, who’s on an expiring $62.6 million contract, was eligible for an extension up to two years and $136.7 million on Aug. 29. 

When that date came and passed without pen-to-paper there were never any real concerns that he was considering leaving the Warriors, with whom he has spent his entire 17-season career.

But if he held out, that storyline would’ve become a distraction. It would’ve become a focus this season. Everyone would’ve been constantly trying to take his temperature and gauge his thinking instead of simply enjoying his artistry.  

Curry had all the cards.

That’s what happens when you’re the greatest shooter of all time who transformed the Warriors into the league’s modern-day dynasty, winning four championships in eight years from 2015-2022. 

He could’ve waited to see how things shook out this season. He could’ve signed a maximum contract. He could’ve taken a pay cut to give the Warriors a chance to further fortify their roster around him. 

He chose the latter after ruminating for a month. 

Curry’s decision will give the Warriors around $10 million in extra projected cap space next summer. That means Golden State could have between $38 million and a projected $55 million in cap space after this season, depending on what happens with Brandin Podziemski, according to ESPN.

In other words, next summer they’ll have flexibility to pursue big names. 

That’s an exciting prospect for Curry, who turns 39 in March, as well as a franchise that hasn’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs over the last four years. 

Jimmy Butler ($56.8 million) and Draymond Green ($27.6 million) are under contract through the end of this season. Kristaps Porzingis has only $3 million of his $20 million salary guaranteed. Podziemski has a $17 million cap hold next summer.

There are a lot of moving parts. A lot of optionality. A lot of flexibility. And Curry helped prop the door open a bit wider. 

Curry wants to play meaningful basketball in the sunset of his career. 

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry plays against the Brooklyn Nets on March 7, 2018. Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

He’s still him. Last season he became the oldest point guard to start an NBA All-Star Game. He went on to close the season averaging 26.6 points on 46.8% shooting from the field (39.3% from beyond the arc), 3.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

For Curry and the Warriors, the last few seasons have been tough. They missed the postseason two of the last four years. 

Last season, their hopes of contending were dashed after Butler suffered a torn ACL in January. The Warriors then tried to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the February trade deadline, but the Bucks balked before dealing him to Miami this summer. 

This offseason, Curry and Green tried to recruit LeBron James, who’s entering his 24th season and will turn 42 in December. But James chose to sign with the 76ers in free agency. 

So, where does this leave the Warriors?

They’ll be without Butler and Moses Moody at the start of next season, and they aren’t considered contenders. 

But things could get interesting around the trade deadline or the offseason, when they’ll have significant potential cap space. 

Curry will make $55.7 million in 2027-2028, a pay cut from the $62.6 million he’s earning next season. He has a player option for $60.2 million for the 2028-29 season, per ESPN.

He made roughly a $20 million sacrifice. 

He’s doing his part to give the Warriors an edge.

And now it’s up to them to make sure we’re able to witness his joy deep into the postseason once again before the final curtain call for the greatest shooter the world has ever seen.