The Warriors’ offseason has already left Steph Curry at the center of a major financial crossroads.
Golden State has made only limited moves this summer, and that quiet has only sharpened the frustration around a team that was competing for titles not that long ago. After being tied to Anthony Davis and LeBron James, the Warriors still have not done much to strengthen the roster around Curry.
“The Golden State Warriors' offseason is quickly going off the rails, with them having done little to improve thus far. The Warriors failing to improve their roster this summer should come as a massive disappointment to star Steph Curry," Hoops Habit's Cal Durrett wrote.
Curry, though, is still expected to stay in the Bay Area for the rest of his career. The bigger question now is when he chooses to sign his next extension, because the numbers attached to that decision are massive.
As ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel put it, the choice is essentially Curry’s to make.
“What the terms of a new extension look like for Curry will be completely up to him, as the Warriors are prepared to offer their star whatever he wants. If Steph wants the full $136.7 million through the 2028-29 season, he will get that. If he wants to take a discount to help the team, GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. will have no problem with said deal," Siegel wrote.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Curry could even benefit the Warriors by holding off for now. On August 29, Curry becomes extension eligible, and Windhorst pointed out that waiting could open up real flexibility for Golden State next summer.
“There’s still players becoming contract extension eligible. By next week you’ll start to see Steph Curry’s name come up.
On the 29th of August he’s extension eligible for his contract. I have argued that it should be considered that Steph doesn’t sign the extension yet.
If he chooses to sign right now, he could get two years at $140 million. Obviously if that’s what he says he wants, you give it to him.
But if he doesn’t sign his contract extension right now the Warriors could have over $100 million in salary cap space next summer. Him, Jimmy Butler, & Draymond Green are all in the last year of their contracts,” Windhorst said.
That’s where the real tension sits for Golden State. Curry signing now would lock in his money, but waiting could give the Warriors room to maneuver next summer. With Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green also in the final year of their deals, the timing of Curry’s decision could shape the franchise’s short-term future in a big way.
Curry is expected to remain with the Warriors long term, but this extension window has become one of the most important decisions hanging over the team. After an underwhelming offseason, Golden State could use all the flexibility it can get.
In Other News...
Warriors Just Got Another Painful Reminder About Their League-Wide Appeal
The Warriors have spent the summer trying to rework a roster that still carries the weight of past title runs, but the market has not exactly treated them like a must-join destination. With little movement on the addition front, Golden State has watched other contenders stay active while free-agent and buyout options look elsewhere, a reminder that reputation around the league does not always travel with a championship pedigree.
Klay Thompsons recent decision only sharpened that point for the Warriors front office and fan base. After a buyout agreement with the Mavericks, he ended up in Miami because he wanted to join the Heat, and the optics were hard to miss for a team that once set the standard in player attraction. The bigger issue now is not just one player choosing another destination, but whether Golden State can do enough in team-building to make itself a more convincing landing spot the next time the market opens up. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Just Made A Frontcourt Bet Fans Will Debate
The Warriors added another layer to their frontcourt puzzle with the signing of forward Georges Niang, a move aimed at giving the roster more depth at power forward after Quinten Post left in free agency. Niang brings a very specific skill set to Golden State, headlined by a career 39.9% mark from three-point range, which fits the kind of spacing the team usually wants around its core.
There is also the obvious health question hanging over the deal. Niang did not play last season after a foot injury sidelined him before training camp, so the Warriors are banking on both his shooting and his availability as they continue filling out the roster, a day that also included a one-year agreement with point guard Brandon Williams. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Make A Late Backcourt Bet With Real Risk And Upside
The Warriors have added another piece to the backcourt mix, bringing in Brandon Williams on a one-year deal as they continue sorting out the edges of the roster before the season. Williams arrives after a busy year in Dallas, where he became a usable rotation guard over 66 games and showed enough scoring and playmaking to keep teams interested.
For Golden State, the move fits the kind of late roster bet that can look smart if a players game translates quickly, especially with the 14th spot now spoken for. Williams gives the Warriors another guard with some recent NBA run under his belt, and the appeal is obvious: there is room for him to carve out value if he fits, but the margin for error is also thin as the team keeps shaping the group around its core. [Read more 🡒]