Could the Warriors Really Trade Steph Curry? A Wild Three-Team Proposal Sparks Debate
With the NBA trade deadline set for February 5, the Golden State Warriors find themselves in unfamiliar territory - sitting below .500 and staring down the barrel of a potential Play-In tournament exit. For a team that once redefined modern basketball, that’s a tough pill to swallow. And with the clock ticking on Stephen Curry’s legendary career, the noise around a possible roster shake-up is only getting louder.
Most conversations around Golden State’s future revolve around one central theme: get Curry some help. But a recent trade proposal has flipped that narrative on its head - suggesting the Warriors might consider moving on from Curry altogether.
Yes, you read that right.
A bold three-team trade concept has surfaced, centered on sending the two-time MVP to the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster deal. The framework?
Curry and Gui Santos head to Houston. In return, the Warriors receive Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., rookie guard Reed Sheppard, and four future first-round picks.
Meanwhile, Dorian Finney-Smith would be rerouted to the Detroit Pistons to help balance the salary mechanics of the deal.
Let’s break this down.
The Rockets’ Perspective: A Win-Now Move
From Houston’s side, the logic is clear. They’ve built a promising young core featuring Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, and they’re looking for a veteran presence who can elevate them from “up-and-coming” to “legitimate threat.”
Curry, even at this stage of his career, is still one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league. His gravity alone would open up the floor for Sengun’s playmaking and Thompson’s slashing - and with Curry’s ability to function on or off the ball, the fit would be seamless.
Adding a player of Curry’s caliber would instantly legitimize Houston as a playoff contender in the West. And importantly, they’d be able to keep Sengun and Thompson - their two most valuable young assets - in the process.
The Warriors’ Side: A Painful Reset?
Here’s where things get tricky. Trading away the face of the franchise - a four-time champion, two-time MVP, and the man who turned the Warriors into a global brand - is no small decision.
But let’s be real: the current roster isn’t built to contend. Golden State just dropped a game to the Trail Blazers despite Curry lighting it up for 48 points and 12 threes.
That’s not a blip - it’s a symptom of a deeper issue.
In return, the Warriors would be getting a mix of present and future assets. VanVleet is a steady, championship-tested point guard who can lead an offense.
Jabari Smith Jr. is a versatile, floor-spacing forward with upside. Reed Sheppard is an intriguing young guard with a high ceiling.
Add four first-round picks to that mix, and you’ve got the makings of a serious rebuild - or at least the flexibility to pivot in a new direction.
Still, none of those pieces can truly replace what Curry brings - not just in terms of production, but leadership, identity, and culture. That’s the kind of move that changes everything.
The Pistons’ Role: The Facilitator
Detroit’s involvement here is more mechanical than headline-worthy. Taking on Finney-Smith helps balance the financials and gives them a veteran wing who can defend and shoot. It’s a low-risk move for a team still figuring out its long-term core.
Is This the End of the Curry Era?
Let’s be clear: there’s no indication that this trade is imminent, or even being seriously discussed by the teams involved. But the fact that ideas like this are gaining traction speaks volumes about where the Warriors currently stand.
Golden State is in a tough spot. They’re not bad enough to bottom out, but not good enough to contend.
Curry, meanwhile, is still playing at an elite level - but he’s 35, and the clock is ticking. The franchise owes it to him to either build a real contender around him or give him a chance to chase one more ring elsewhere.
Would Curry be open to a move like this? That’s impossible to say. But after watching him drop nearly 50 in a loss to a rebuilding team, it’s fair to wonder how long he’ll want to keep carrying a squad that can’t keep up.
Final Thoughts
This trade idea isn’t just about moving pieces on a chessboard - it’s about legacy, timing, and the brutal business side of basketball. For the Warriors, it would mark the end of an era.
For the Rockets, it could be the start of something special. And for Curry, it might be the path to one last title run.
Whether or not it ever happens, one thing is clear: the Warriors have some soul-searching to do before February 5.