Stephen Curry Speculation Puts New Focus On Warriors Extension Talks

Former Warrior Stephen Jackson stirs the pot by proposing a surprising trade destination for Stephen Curry amidst ongoing contract talks.

Stephen Curry’s future in Golden State has been one of the summer’s louder talking points, and it comes with a simple reason: his current deal is a one-year, $62.5 million contract, which sets him up to become an unrestricted free agent next summer unless he signs another extension.

That uncertainty is what has led some voices to start imagining a world where Curry’s run with the Warriors ends somewhere else. On a recent episode of the "All The Smoke" podcast, former Warriors wing Stephen Jackson named the San Antonio Spurs as the team that makes the most sense if Golden State ever decides to move into the post-Curry era.

Jackson laid out a possible framework that would center on De'Aaron Fox and future draft capital.

“San Antonio for me,” Jackson said when discussing potential new teams for Curry. "You got De’Aaron Fox.

They can package one of those, and I ain’t even talking about [Dylan] Harper, or [Stephon] Castle, they got two big draft picks this year, so they did well in the draft. So they got the pieces to move for a Steph with De’Aaron Fox.

I think that would be great."

For now, Curry is also eligible for a two-year contract extension, and the expectation remains that he and the Warriors will eventually work something out to keep him in the Bay Area. Still, if that changes, San Antonio stands out as a team with the kind of talent and draft assets that could enter the conversation.

At the moment, though, Warriors fans have little reason to think this is Curry’s last season in a Golden State uniform. He hasn’t given any sign that it is.

In Other News...

Warriors Just Got A Fascinating Opening In Their Center Search

Jalen Durens contract situation in Detroit has become one of the more intriguing front-office watch items around the league, and it matters for Golden State because the Warriors are still hunting for a long-term answer at center. The Pistons big man is a restricted free agent, but he is reportedly weighing whether to pass on a massive extension and keep his options open, which would shift the timeline on his next contract and put more teams on alert.

For the Warriors, the appeal is obvious if Duren gets to unrestricted free agency next summer. They are projected to have significant cap space and have not settled the starting center spot for the long haul, so a younger interior anchor would fit a need they have been trying to solve for some time. If Duren does become available, Golden State could be in position to make a serious run at a player who would instantly change the way it thinks about that part of the roster. [Read more 🡒]

Warriors May Be Leaning On Melton More Than Fans Expected

Last season gave Golden State a reminder that its depth is going to be tested early and often, and De'Anthony Melton ended up right in the middle of it. He missed the opening stretch while recovering from a torn ACL, then carved out a useful bench role as a scorer before injuries pushed him into more responsibility, including time as a starter and as a ball-handler.

Melton re-signed with the Warriors and is already bracing for a similar kind of workload this year, which says plenty about how much flexibility the team may need from him. With the roster still dealing with injury questions around several key players, the Warriors could again find themselves leaning on Melton for more than just offense off the ball, and that makes his place in the rotation worth watching from the start. [Read more 🡒]

Steph Currys Next Warriors Deal Could Shift His Career Control

Stephen Curry and the Warriors are still expected to keep their partnership intact beyond the 2026-27 season, but the timing of his next deal could carry more weight than the simple question of how long he stays in Golden State. Curry has already reached a stage where contract details are less about leverage in the usual sense and more about control, and the franchise has made clear it would only consider moving him if he asked for it.

The wrinkle is that no-trade clauses are rare, with Damian Lillard the only player known to have one explicitly, and Currys path to that kind of protection appears to depend on how he handles his next contract. If he waits, the door opens to a level of say few stars ever get. If he signs sooner, the decision could be taken out of his hands. [Read more 🡒]